Next year's lineup

[Pogotheostrich]

Curious what next year's projected lineup is supposed to look like?
I am really interested who takes Raffy's spot in the lineup.

[Madison]

Not sure about lineup just yet, but here's what the positions look like:

C: Diaz
1B: Adrian Gonzales
2B: Young
SS: Arod
3B: Blalock
RF: Mench (supposed to be back and healthy)
CF: Nix or Nivar (whichever one wins the job in spring training)
LF: Greer (supposed to be back from injury)
DH: Teixeira

The OF and DH are still question marks, but Greer/Teixeira/Mench are all interchangeable. Nix or Nivar will be in center.

*Provided the Rangers don't sign another bat or bring up someone from AAA.

[wrveres]

how would you set the lineup? Or how do you think the lineup will be? I'd curious just to get a general look ...

[Madison]

how would you set the lineup? Or how do you think the lineup will be? I'd curious just to get a general look ...

Well, personally I don't like it that there's not a clear cut hitter to protect Arod and I also would want to make sure that the kids continue to get good pitches to hit. So maybe something like this:

Nivar
Young
Blalock
Arod
Tex
Mench
Greer
Adrian Gonzales
Diaz

Nivar has speed. No power but good speed.
Young is nice in the two hole. Does have some speed.
Blalock has power. In front of Arod, he will continue to get good pitches to hit.
Arod cleanup to protect the young hitters again this year and have plenty of rbi opportunities.
Tex is a switch hitter, and should perform better this year.
Mench has power, not sure about average yet.
Greer hasn't played in a couple of years, but he does know how to hit.
Gonzales in the 8th spot puts no pressure on the rookie to perform this season.
Diaz is not a scary hitter at all, so 9th is where he goes.

Spots 5-8 are all interesting. Mostly it depends on how healthy the guys are, and how are they performing.

These are just my opinions, not set in stone by the Rangers or anything so I hope no one gets the wrong idea.

[wrveres]

nope.... understood.

Why not bat Hank behind Arod.

[Madison]

nope.... understood.

Why not bat Hank behind Arod.

Too young still. Plus he does struggle against leftys pretty bad. He was out of the lineup quite a bit last year against leftys, but he should be in there this year. At least this way, he should get some pitches to hit.

Just my thinking on it.

[wrveres]

nope.... understood.

Why not bat Hank behind Arod.

Too young still. Plus he does struggle against leftys pretty bad. He was out of the lineup quite a bit last year against leftys, but he should be in there this year. At least this way, he should get some pitches to hit.

Just my thinking on it.

yep...Arod does give some nice protection..