Jeff Baker

[Fai Mao]

At what point do the HR's Jeff Baker is hitting begin to matter in terms of making the team?

The looks like he has a stick.

If Cruz is suspended does he become the 50 Game Right Fielder?

[Derinyar]

I think he's in the lead to be the RH bench bat. Should get ABs in place of Moreland I suspect.

[Trogdor79]

Four bench spots probably available:
(1) Soto.
(2) Gentry/L. Martin platoon
(3) Somebody who can backup at SS - Garcia/Profar/Solarte, with Leury Garcia the heavy favorite.
(4) A corner infielder - Baker or Olt. Baker's probably the favorite so Olt can play every day at AAA. Baker's ability to play 2B and corner OF also helps his cause.

If Cruz gets suspended (seems unlikely at this point), I think that means Olt makes the team, either as a 1B or RF with Moreland taking the other spot.

[Kaisersoze]

Four bench spots probably available:
(1) Soto.
(2) Gentry/L. Martin platoon
(3) Somebody who can backup at SS - Garcia/Profar/Solarte, with Leury Garcia the heavy favorite.
(4) A corner infielder - Baker or Olt. Baker's probably the favorite so Olt can play every day at AAA. Baker's ability to play 2B and corner OF also helps his cause.

If Cruz gets suspended (seems unlikely at this point), I think that means Olt makes the team, either as a 1B or RF with Moreland taking the other spot.

Good post, I agree on Baker. Not sure Garcia is the favorite, I'm thinking that spot is someone who isn't on the roster right now. Also I wouldn't count out Borbon.

[bblackburn35]

Good post, I agree on Baker. Not sure Garcia is the favorite, I'm thinking that spot is someone who isn't on the roster right now. Also I wouldn't count out Borbon.

I want Garcia playing every day. Bring back Andres Blanco

[Derinyar]

As far as UIF I'm guessing its either Garcia, who can also backup in the OF, or someone we pick up cheap at the end of the spring.

[363dp]

I want Garcia playing every day. Bring back Andres Blanco

I don't know bb...Garcia's bat probably is what it is. He doesn't do as much for me playing every day in RR...as he does as a tool on the bench.

He can really pick it. He can FLY on the bases. No reason he can't play OF as well.

[murphy3]

I don't know bb...Garcia's bat probably is what it is. He doesn't do as much for me playing every day in RR...as he does as a tool on the bench.

He can really pick it. He can FLY on the bases. No reason he can't play OF as well.

So he's a 21 year old kid that just hit almost .300 in AAA.. I can live with that.

[wufdog]

So he's a 21 year old kid that just hit almost .300 in AAA.. I can live with that.

.......in addition to being a slick gloveman, I think he could be a huge asset to the Rangers this year as a late inning PR for guys like Berkman and AJ.

[giarraam]

Four bench spots probably available:
(1) Soto.
(2) Gentry/L. Martin platoon
(3) Somebody who can backup at SS - Garcia/Profar/Solarte, with Leury Garcia the heavy favorite.
(4) A corner infielder - Baker or Olt. Baker's probably the favorite so Olt can play every day at AAA. Baker's ability to play 2B and corner OF also helps his cause.

If Cruz gets suspended (seems unlikely at this point), I think that means Olt makes the team, either as a 1B or RF with Moreland taking the other spot.

I'm honestly not sure if Olt is really as ready as everyone says/hopes he is. I think he should be in AAA regardless of the Cruz thing. However, the Cruz thing will likely not be figured out for a few months, which is hopefully enough time for Olt to get some reps in AAA... he needs to see some more advanced pitching, my opinion though - could be wrong. He just seems to whiff more than a guy that is described as a "whiffer with a lot of power"...