Texas Rangers 2019 Positional Review: Center Field

Our positional review continues, looking at center field. Did the Rangers find their long-term answer in 2019?

The 2019 season was a step in the right direction for the organization moving forward. After hiring Chris Woodward as manager, the primary focus was going to get the players to buy into the process of what they were trying to do and not focusing so much on the results. 

Obviously, results are important because they directly affect wins and losses, but the new regime was not taking only 2019 into account. There is a bigger picture here.

Some of the players adjusted to the new way of thinking and applying new information to every at-bat. Guys like Joey Gallo caught on quick while Nomar Mazara took a bit longer. Everyone adapts differently, which is expected. That's why 2019 wasn't seen as much of an opportunity to compete like 2020 will be.

For the Rangers primary center fielder Delino DeShields, 2019 was a bit of of an up-and-down year. DeShields started 2019 brutally cold, batting .182 through May 24th. The Rangers subsequently sent him down to Triple-A Nashville. Joey Gallo served as the primary center fielder after DeShields' demotion. 

Gallo was sent to the Injured List with a strained oblique on June 1st, paving the way for DeShields to return to Arlington. He made adjustments and slashed .271/.327/.368 for the remainder of the 2019 season, keeping his job in Arlington safe. 

DeShields continued to provide very solid defense in center field, and of course, provided elite speed on the bases as well. He stole 24 bases in 30 attempts. 

If you need us, we'll be watching this on loop. pic.twitter.com/cDuP7XiDG3

— MLB (@MLB) August 29, 2019

2020 Outlook

Projected starter: Delino DeShields
Internal options: Danny Santana

Offseason priority: MEDIUM

The 2019 season wasn't exactly the statement season DeShields intended to make to lock down his spot in center field in 2020. However, with no other incumbent on the roster the Rangers envision as a full time center fielder, it's DeShields' job to lose.

Danny Santana is a player who could make some appearances in center field in 2020. He made 99 plate appearances as the Rangers' center fielder in 2019, but the Rangers plan for Santana to be their super-utility player in 2020.

The Rangers have other priorities to address this winter at third base, starting pitcher, and catcher before they take a look at center field. DeShields is a capable center fielder defensively. If he can produce similar numbers after returning from his demotion, the Rangers can live with DeShields as their center fielder as long as they successfully address the more critical needs. 

The free agent market is pretty thin at center field this winter. Jarrod Dyson leads the free agent class in WAR with a mark of 1.3, but is an aging 35 years old and would not be an upgrade over DeShields in almost any way. 

The Rangers could look in the trade market if they wanted to upgrade in center field. Texas has already been tied to rumors of being interested in Pittsburgh Pirates' center fielder Starling Marte. 

Marte is 31 years old and is on a team-friendly contract. He's owed $11.5 million in 2020 and has a $12.5 million club option in 2021. He slashed .295/.342/.503 in 2019 and hit 23 home runs while playing in the pitcher-friendly PNC Park in Pittsburgh. He is a right-handed bat, a good base-stealer, and won back-to-back Gold Gloves in 2015-2016. 

Texas would have to part with some valuable assets to acquire Marte. If Pittsburgh made him available, there would be other suitors calling the Pirates. However, it's unclear if Pittsburgh will make him available. The Pirates hired Ben Cherington as their new general manager and the direction of the Pirates is yet to be seen. 

The Rangers have their #5 prospect Leody Taveras in mind for the future, but is expected to start 2020 in Double-A Frisco and may not see the major leagues until 2021. Taveras' defensive game is arguably major-league ready, but his bat and baserunning is still in development. 

Texas could ride with DeShields until Taveras is ready to take over or they could blow up Ben Cherington's phone in Pittsburgh and make Starling Marte their center fielder for the next two years. 

Don't expect any monumental moves to be made by the Rangers in center field with there being more pressing matters elsewhere on the team. For now, DeShields in the guy.

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