The Texas Rangers have answered most of their key questions since arriving at spring training in Surprise, Arizona but one notable issue still stands out.
Several roster battles are already settling into place. Josh Smith appears to have locked down the starting role at second base, while Evan Carter has cemented his spot in the lineup. There could still be some shuffling between him and Wyatt Langford in the outfield, but that’s more of a minor adjustment than a major concern.
The closer role remains undecided, though the team has at least identified a couple of viable options heading into the season. The more pressing uncertainty lies with the backup outfielder position. Sam Haggerty is widely expected to make the roster, but the final spot is still up for grabs with less than a week to go.
The Backup Outfield Battle
Early in camp, Texas signed Mark Canha to a minor league deal, with a clear expectation: prove he can hit left-handed pitching and serve as a reserve corner outfielder. Not long after, they added Andrew McCutchen under similar conditions.
Now, the Rangers face a good problem both players have performed well. However, with Ezequiel Duran likely filling a needed utility infield role, there’s only room for one of them.
McCutchen has been outstanding in limited spring action. Despite playing just six games and entering camp with little live batting practice he’s made a strong impression with eye-catching numbers, including a high batting average and power production. He’s split time between designated hitter and the outfield, potentially offering value as a right-handed complement to Joc Pederson, who typically sits against left-handed pitching.
Canha, meanwhile, has also delivered solid results over a longer stretch in camp. While his production hasn’t quite matched McCutchen’s, he brings slightly more recent defensive experience and is a bit younger. In contrast, McCutchen has primarily served as a designated hitter over the past few seasons.
Ultimately, the decision may come down to fine margins. Even though this is about the final bench spot, that role can be crucial especially in pinch-hitting situations or when matchups dictate lineup changes. It’s a relatively small question in the grand scheme, but still an important one that may not be resolved until the team departs for Philadelphia just before opening day.
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