Rangers manager Chris Woodward said today that long-time utilityman Danny Santana will see most of the action in center field to open the year, as MLB.com’s TR Sullivan reports on Twitter.
That’s hardly surprising, as the team has long signaled this arrangement after the offseason dust settled. But there was some new uncertainty when the Rangers began running Nick Solak up the middle.
So, does this mean the end of the Solak experiment? Not necessarily. Woodward says the hitter in search of a position has actually looked fairly comfortable since trying out the new spot.
Solak, 25, has limited professional experience on the outfield grass, with most of that coming in the corners. But the Rangers are looking for creative ways to get him into the lineup — quite understandably, given that he has a nice track record of hitting in the minors and posted a .293/.393/.491 slash in his first 135 MLB plate appearances last year.
The switch-hitting Santana was also long a middle infielder before increasingly shifting into outfield duties. He appeared all over the place in a breakout 2019 season, all while slashing a robust .283/.324/.534. Whether he can sustain that outburst remains to be seen. Santana was similarly productive as a rookie back in 2014 but had a long dry spell in the interim.
In the aggregate, it probably doesn’t matter all that much how the Rangers sort things to begin the season. Both Santana and Solak come with some upside and some desirable flexibility. They each also have questions to answer. No doubt the team’s plan is to adapt as the season unfolds.
Santana should be fine out there. The early poor showings of Guzman and Bird May necessitate Frazier seeing considerable time there and that coupled with the does Odor get it figured out question should give Solak plenty ABs at 3B, 1B and 2B.
Its nice to see them committing to this although I always knew they would find a way to get him in the lineup. So that makes Solak that guy to find a way to get him in no matter what. Both good talents.
Puig in CF in Texas is 1000x a better option and if you disagree you are basing it on what racist old white male journalists spoonfeed you. I’d be furious going all in on a guy who had a .353 BABIP last year who is not a good athlete and not a potent enough and reliable bat to play there, especially when Puig is sitting out there in free agency.
But then again, its the Rangers, they have zero clue what they’re doing….
Puig hasn’t played CF regularly in his MLB career, and hasn’t even gotten more than a dozen games played there since 2014. If they were to sign him, he would play RF and Gallo, who was in CF a fair amount and did decent there in 2019, would go to center. That’s not based on any of this racist nonsense. Just that Puig has almost no playing time in CF in the past 5 years.
Racist nonsense? You lost me here? Is someone saying the fact Puig has not been signed yet is racially motivated? Has someone made a racist joke about Gallo playing CF? Are you just using the word “racist” for shock value? I have no idea.
Um, I was referring to what StrikeFour was saying?
So, what if Puig is seeking a multi year $64m deal? What if Puig was offered by TEX and he turned it down? Do you truly have a clue? Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see the Tigs pick up Puig. Old white male journalist?? Do you even know who or what you’re talking about? Puig has already made $50m+, he could’ve retired 7 years ago. Maybe he’s being selective
I like Santana as CF. If you look at the rangers offense, it’s good but it’s not a typical offense. They will probably have a slow plodding dh at leadoff (choo). A CF batting cleanup. A 1b batting 9th.
and are a lock for 75 wins!
Solak should start somewhere. if not DH or 3B then its time to end the Odor experiencing.
Santana is absolutely going to regress in 2020
His .353 BABIP from last season wildly agrees with you. These dummies need Puig like yesterday.
He has had two good years in the majors. Last year, with a .353 BAPIP, and his rookie year, with a .405 BAPIP. Better hope the luck continues, at least for the Rangers sake.
That’s never good
13 hrs. in his first 5 yrs & 28 hrs in the one year of the “lively” ball. Can he repeat? We’ll see.
Is there any reason to believe their gonna nerf the ball?
They already have
i dont think there is any reason to believe that they have. some players say yes some say no.
Granted it’s the ST ball, but many pitchers have already said this is a different ball.
His .353 BABIP is more concerning with his free swinging running into some bad pitchers every now and then. This is a terrible idea by a clueless front office.
Hopefully he produces. I thought TEX would have contacted BOS about Bradley Jr to play center buts that’s just my perspective.
I like solak and Santana both. But honestly I could see taveras making team as starting CF, and having solak @3rd, santana @2nd, and frazier @1st I just have 0 faith in guzman and odor.
I like the idea of Traveras, but I would be absolutely shocked if he makes the team. The kid is only 21 and needs more time in the minors for sure.
Joey Gallo is the best CF on the team by a long, long way and the metrics back it up.
I agree 100%. But his defense and base running are already there, the concern is if his hitting is ready. But hes batting .400 this spring and I think he could hit .200+ in majors, which, is all I’d expect from guzman or odor. I dont think taveras should be in majors till next yr, but if he can outperform 2 of ur starters now give him a shot and see. If he cant do it u can always option him. But gotta cut ur teeth sometime
Santana’s metrics in CF last year were nightmare-level. This dumb front office thinks he’s going to hit 35 homers so it won’t matter. Puig is a perfect fit whether they like it or not, but even then, Gallo is wayyy better CF, he’s almost a plus CF.
The Rangers deserve the terrible season they’re about to have.
But, rangers have said they dont want him in cf bc they think hes more likely to get hurt playing cf. And, hes prolly best they could put at 1st, 3rd, lf, cf, rf, dh and realistically prolly catcher too
He doesn’t care what the Rangers have said. He only knows Puig is the only answer
Puig’s would probably do great for rangers, but u need to keep him out of clubhouse so hes not influencing roughed odor. Veteran nutcase influencing young nutcase? Prolly dont want him around guzman, solak or any of other kids coming through next 3 seasons either. Hed be great fit on field but not in clubhouse.
Rangers are not willing to spend big for a bat. They whiffed on Rendon, Donaldson, and Castellanos when they were the supposed “favorite ” to sign them.
If Puig were willing to take a one year deal he would have signed already, since we heard he turned down 10 mil for one year that is probably not the case.
Puig is a malcontent and the entire league knows it. That’s not racism, that’s the consequence of acting like a total pud for his entire career.
I expect some regression from Santana. Still a useful player, but not a real centerfielder. It’s tough for me to get too high on a team without a real centerfielder.