The Texas Rangers can't seem to catch a break. The injury bug has rocked their roster for the second straight season, but even with some of their top players healthy, they started 8-16 and general manager Jon Daniels may opt to make drastic moves if things don't get better.
Texas has lost 10 of their last 13 games and their reeling offense ranks 26th in the MLB in runs scored (89) and their starting rotation ranks 16th in ERA (4.10). Their starters have also failed to go deep into games, logging only 125 innings (28th in MLB), which has undoubtedly put pressure on their bullpen, which ranks 26th in ERA (4.56).
Injuries to the club's rotation can explain the rotation's struggles, but many wouldn't have expected the offense to get off to such a poor start. With stars such as Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre leading the way for other contributing players (Elvin Andrus, Leonys Martin and Shin-Soo Choo), it was believed the club would have a bounce-back campaign after last year's disaster. Now changes could be coming.
"We are talking through different ways to improve right now," Daniels told reporters, via Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. "We may make some smaller changes this week, but we're not going to wait too much longer before we consider mixing it up further. We need to see our focus and execution improve."
Daniels already struck a deal with the Los Angeles Angels to reunite with outfielder Josh Hamilton, but the former AL MVP still has some time before he returns to action as he rehabs his surgically-repaired shoulder. Hamilton has struggled in each of the past two seasons, so it's unclear what he'll be capable of once he arrives back in Texas, and it's unlikely he'll be able to pick up all the slack even if he returns to form.
While Daniels wasn't very transparent in regards to what the team might do if the struggles continue, Grant has some suggestions of his own, including demoting second baseman Rougned Odor, benching shortstop Elvis Andrus and/or finding a new hitting coach to succeed Dave Magadan. Odor is batting .148/.266/.247 this season; Andrus is struggling defensively (seven errors this season) and has yet to set himself apart as an offensive threat (.224/.274/.306 this year); and Magadan has seen the club's offense go from 8th overall in 2012 to 17th overall in 2013 and now 26th overall this year in his three seasons as hitting coach.
Outfielders Leonys Martin and Shin-Soo Choo have also been a big part of the problem, producing only 17 runs scored, 3 home runs and 17 RBIs combined this season. However, Martin will likely remain the team's center fielder if he stays healthy and Choo isn't going anywhere since he's signed on for $130 million through the 2020 season.
While the rotation has many holes, the main problem is the offense, and Daniels may need to address that sooner rather than later.
