The Texas Rangers have a decision to make on Thursday when Ronald Guzman returns from the IL. Who do they send down or DFA? For this I am going to look at four candidates and certain group and I am using WRC+ as one of the guiding stats. For those not familiar with WRC+ it stands for Weighted Runs Created and unlike WRC, WRC+ is park and league adjusted. 100 is considered league average. So a player with a WRC+ of 125 is 25% above average while a player with a WRC+ of 10 is 90% below average. Hitters with an average below 20 are typically pitchers if that helps you realize just how bad it can be. With that being said, here we go.

Rougned Odor

Odor has been a hot topic all season long. To say he has been struggling at the plate is an understatement. He’s currently hitting .141. Manager Chris Woodward finally moved him down in the lineup over the weekend and he finally had a breakout game but was it enough? With his contract and his defensive play logic dictates that, while he may still be hitting below the Mendoza line and has a WRC+ of just 19, his job is safe. He does, however, have two options remaining but I just don’t see him going back to the minors.

Danny Santana

Danny has quickly become a fan favorite for his play filling in for Odor while Rougned was on the IL. He’s impressed Woodward so much that the skipper has been finding ways to keep him in the everyday lineup including his first four career starts at first base. Santana is currently hitting .329 with an impressive WRC+ of 136. History, though, is not on Santana’s side. His career has been a roller coaster of major league and minor league stops. Is this just a hot start or is he finally the real deal? He would have to be DFA’d if Texas were to drop him as he is out of options. Just like the next guy on the list.

Logan Forsythe

Forsythe is hitting .289 on the young season with a WRC+ of 126. He can fill in at almost every spot in the infield and brings a veteran presence to the clubhouse. Logan was one of my favorite signings that Texas made this past winter as I’ve always been a fan of his style of play. If I were a betting man I would put my money on him over Santana staying. But that’s just this writer’s opinion.

However there are two more scenarios, one involving a particular player. The other involving a whole group.

Delino DeShields

DeShields has, like Odor, been struggling at the plate this season hitting .190 with a WRC+ of 79. But, just like Rougned, his defense is invaluable. He also has two options remaining which could allow Texas to send him down to work on his hitting while allowing Danny Santana to fill in at center field for the time being.

The Bullpen

The last option that could happen is sending a reliever down and going with a seven man bullpen. The starting pitchers are starting to put things together and have been going deeper into games lately then they did at the beginning of the season. The tough part is which reliever do they send down? Jose Leclerc, Chris Martin, Adrian Sampson (who also spot starts) and Brett Martin all have options remaining. Jeanmar Gomez would look like the odd man out to get DFA’d if that was the road the Rangers took.

In the end, the Rangers have a tough decision to make and I would hate to be the one to make it. Whatever happens, be sure it’s in the best interest of the team.

Until next time, I’ll see you in the cheap seats!