Rangers regular season baseball will start eight days later than anticipated, but the news Thursday of the lockout ending sent all MLB franchises to pure happiness. Ninety-nine days passed, wondering if things would start on time, delay a week, a month, or several months. Ultimately the unanimous  decision by the owners to ratify the new CBA at 5 pm central time ended the lockout, and here we are. “Our fans have been through quite a bit [in Arizona], not just with the lockout, but the three unusual Springs in a row,” Jon Daniels said. “It hasn’t been the traditional spring for three years in a row. We look forward to welcoming our fans this week. [To introduce] them to Corey and Marcus and our new players and host of young talent.”

Now the Texas Rangers are on a mission. Texas’ first regular game of 2022 is in twenty-eight days, with free agency open and trades allowed. So, where is the focal point in the team? Well, at the moment, the focus is both starting pitching and corner outfield. Texas added Kole Calhoun in the offseason coupled with Willie Calhoun and Adolis Garcia, but the Rangers’ eye is on many options, including the main Japan target, Seiya Suzuki. “We’re evaluating the market right now and having preliminary conversations and seeing where those lead, but those are the two biggest areas,” Chris Young said. “We have really good options. One of our strengths is versatility in the infield. We’re comfortable with Kiner at third and excited for him to have this opportunity.”

The Rangers main focus points roster wise look to be outfield and starting pitching. Chris Young noted the several options the club has at third base, but right now it is Isiah Kiner-Falefa's time to shine at the hot-corner.

— Alex Plinck🏳️‍🌈 (@aplinckTX) March 11, 2022

 

One thing to keep in mind is that with the additional time minor leaguers had to warm up for the 2022 season, there could be a few fringe guys that make the team that wouldn’t make the opening day in a typical year or a short early stint for pitchers to start the season. “We’re not going to put guys at risk,” Chris Woodward said. “The position players will get their at-bats, they’re going to get live-BP, and they’re going to face guys in-games. The pitchers have to build up.” Keep in mind that the rule 5 draft no longer exists with the new CBA. Therefore, the Rangers don’t have to deal with guys like Steele Walker, Bubba Thompson, Jake Latz, and Cole Ragans leave due to the rule 5. The key is seeing how players on the forty-man look in the first week of camp with the sprint to Opening Day.

Was there any reflection in the past few years in this ninety-nine-day lockout? “I think more than anything assessing our roster, what our strengths were, where our player development system is, where we need to fill both player personnel and front office, [and] reflecting on how can we improve,” Chris Young told me. “The lockout did provide downtime to spend in areas that we wouldn’t have been to do in a normal offseason.” Now that MLB baseball is coming up, does the front office feel they’re contenders? “Yes, they’re no limits on what a team can do,” Young said. “One of our main goals is to take the field expecting to win every day. We have the right players in the clubhouse to do that. Something Woody has said is a standard. Anything is possible.”

As for all Rangers' 40-man guys showing up to Arizona. Jon Daniels says he anticipates all, but Yerry Rodriguez may be delayed (due to VISA apt which of course delayed because of lockout)

— Alex Plinck🏳️‍🌈 (@aplinckTX) March 11, 2022

I think we all look at the San Francisco Giants team last year and what they accomplished and wonder with a group of little-known guys, is postseason possible? Time will tell, but Young also stated there’s work to do. “As we look at the roster, we’re not a complete roster yet. I don’t think we feel we’re a championship team yet. There are still needs there. However, jumping from sixty wins to one-hundred wins is unrealistic, but we’re not ruling anything out.” Game one is scheduled for April 8 in Toronto, and with Canada’s unvaccinated restrictions, it could present an issue for the Rangers. However, there was no information given regarding any player impacts. But it’s fun to say, the season’s first game on a specific date. Let’s play ball!

I feel great saying this.

MLB Opening Day is 4 weeks from today.

Still unclear if the original games from 4/7 – 4/13 will reinstate. If so, Rangers will start in Toronto on 4/8 and their first home game is 4/11 vs Rockies. pic.twitter.com/0KsVyHKBeZ

— Alex Plinck🏳️‍🌈 (@aplinckTX) March 10, 2022