Outfield Options for The Texas Rangers Heading into 2023

With Opening Day only 99 days away, the roster for the Texas Rangers is starting to take shape. However there still is a few glaring holes that still needs to be filled and that is the need of two more outfielders.

Adolis Garcia seemingly has right field locked down for the foreseeable future, but when it comes to the other two spots, the options are plentiful for General Manager Chris Young.

Michael Conforto

The most sought after option is former New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto. The Rangers aren't the only team vying for Conforto; he's at the top of a lot of teams list and if the Rangers are truly looking to compete in 2023, this signing would help speed up the process.

The twenty-nine year old outfielder didn't play at all during the 2022 season after undergoing season ending shoulder surgery but is now healthy and according to his agent Scott Boras is in search of a short term deal. This situation could benefit both the Rangers and Conforto as the Rangers are in search of an everyday outfielder and it would give Michael Conforto the opportunity to reestablish himself as the player he once was.

Jurickson Profar

Another option from the free agent market is a familiar face in Arlington and that's Jurickson Profar. Profar would could be a great addition to this year's Rangers squad and a solid piece in the outfield.

Jurickson Profar brings versatility in field, while also being a switch hitter that gets on base at a decent clip with a .331 on base percentage in 2022 was the third best of his career and according to Fangraph projections could hit 14 home runs and a 105 wRC+ this upcoming year. He's coming off one of the best seasons in his career, hitting .243/.331/.389, a .723 OPS and a 110 wRC+ (the 2nd best of his career) helping lead the San Diego Padres to the NLCS.

Bubba Thompson

Some of the Rangers best options to fill out the outfield, are in their own backyard. Bubba Thompson was one of the most exciting parts of the Rangers season last year.

In his first season in the majors and a short sample size of 181 plate appearances Bubba hit .265/.302/.312 with five doubles and only one home run; but it's Thompson's speed that separates him from every other major league outfielder. Bubba's plus plus speed is game changing; both in the outfield and on the base paths which lead to 18 stolen bases. These traits gives him a real opportunity to hit near the bottom of the order and be the opening day center fielder in 2023.

Overflow Options

For the first time in what seems like forever, it seems like the Rangers have one of the best problems that you can have...too many options. Last year they had the chance to get a look at a number of guys perform in the outfield.

Eli White started to come into his own last season before going down and having to have season ending surgery. It started to look like Eli was on the brink of a breakout season before this injury as his defense in center field was insane, making a number of web gem catches. In 117 plate appearances he hit 3 home runs and 12 stolen bases. It'll be interesting to see how Eli White fits into the Rangers plans this upcoming season.

Leody Tavares is another option that showed promise in 2022. After bouncing back and forth between the big league squad and the minors, Tavares had one more opportunity to earn a spot on the squad and he certainly delivered with his best season in the majors so far. Slashing .261/.309/.366 with five home runs and thirty-four RBI's. His production started to tail off towards the end of the season but with a full season in the majors this year, Leody could be a vital part of the Rangers success; giving them plus speed in CF and above average defense.

With the infield set for nearly the next decade, guys like Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran have made the switch to the outfield and both guys showed a boat load of potential in 2022. Many feel like Smith and Duran could be trade pieces for another starting pitcher but until then, I expect the two to get platoon opportunities throughout the season, assuming they don't get traded.