Why the Rangers must reload for 2015

This was supposed to be the Rangers’ year. The year they climbed back to the top of the mountain with a retooled offense boasting an expensive new leadoff hitter and a big left-handed bat at its core, youth in key positions, and health where it mattered. The Rangers were going to reclaim the AL West title and stomp onwards to glory.

The “health” part of that equation unraveled first. Derek Holland suffered a freak knee injury at his home. Then starting catcher Geovany Soto went down during Spring Training. Starting second baseman Jurickson Profar soon followed. Then Matt Harrison missed the start of the season with ongoing back problems.

Texas kept it together for the first six weeks of the season, hovering around .500 thanks to the heroics of Yu Darvish (who started the season on the DL himself) and that new look offense (thanks to some more than others.)

The A’s were already distancing themselves in the AL West, but Texas wasn’t without hope. Until yesterday.

Classed as “one of darkest days in Rangers history”, Texas learned yesterday that Martin Perez, their Opening Day starter this season and proud owner of a long term contract, has a tear in the UCL inside the elbow of his throwing arm. He faces Tommy John surgery and a year on the shelf. Matt Harrison, the Opening Day starter from 2012 and also the recipient of a long-term deal, faces a third back surgery that could cost him his career.

It is a dark day for the Rangers, as far as their chances in 2014 go. Until Holland returns, their rotation consists of Darvish, Robbie Ross Jr., Colby Lewis, Nick Martinez, and Nick Tepesch. Only Lewis claims more than 20 starts in his career, and he didn’t even pitch in 2013.

To consider this team a playoff contender in 2014 is foolish. Injuries pushed their minor league depth to the limit, as they’re now using inexperienced players out of position at multiple places around the diamond. They’re asking unproven players to run alongside vets brought to Arlington to win and win now.

It is not easy to ask the kids or established players to make this work. Rangers fans gobble up every internet scouting report extolling the virtues of their prospect pipeline, believing the team can then plunder any big league talent they desire by cashing in on the potential in their system. It doesn’t always work like that. Sometimes, when injuries force the issue, the buyers become the sellers.

The biggest question facing Texas general manager Jon Daniels and the Rangers brass is a simple one: what does this mean for 2014?

A team built to win now is being forced to consider a reality in which they can’t win now. Maybe next year, if they retool in the offseason and get everyone back healthy at the same time, the Rangers can make a run at the indefatigable A’s, the powerful Angels, and the hopeful Mariners. But in 2014? That dream is dead.

There is no substitute for depth, and in keeping with their “waves of talent” SOP, maybe unloading one of their older players is in order? Alex Rios is a free agent at the end of the season and playing well. He could help another contender as he helped Texas in 2013 (to no avail, of course.)

Even Adrian Beltre’s deal expires sooner rather than later. Surely another team with deep pockets, prospect capital, and a history with Beltre would listen should the future Hall of Famer* become available. There is no better upgrade than Adrian Beltre over just about any other third baseman in the game today.

Perhaps all is not lost. If rehab gets Martin Perez better and a revolutionary treatment that keeps Harrison pain-free, perhaps the Rangers band together to take down the big, bad Athletics. But if yesterday’s darkness was the prelude to a lost year in Texas, there is no time like the present to begin the process of making the 2015 Rangers better.

Daniels knows better. His track record is that of a man very willing to pull of a bold move when necessary. These two catastrophic injuries are exactly the sort of situation demanding bold action. It isn’t easy admitting your season is essentially over, but work on the next great Rangers team can begin today.

* - in a better world, that is.