This winter, the Texas Rangers traded Ian Kinsler to the Tigers for Prince Fielder in part because of the presence of uber prospect Jurickson Profar. To start the year, Texas won’t have Kinsler *or* Profar at second base – the incumbent second baseman will miss the first 10 to 12 weeks of the 2014 season after tearing a muscle in his shoulder.
Losing the 21-year old is obviously a huge blow for Texas, and perhaps the worst part is that they don’t have an immediate fix to the solution. The only other second basemen on the 40-man roster are Adam Rosales, Andy Parrino, and Luis Sardinas, a 20-year old who has played a total of 29 games above high-A. Texas also dragged non-roster invitees Brent Lillibridge and Josh Wilson into camp, though neither would probably be much of an upgrade over Rosales. What about top prospect Rougned Odor? Well, he’s also just 20, and like Sardinas, has little experience in the upper minors – he played just 30 games above high-A last year.
So what now for the Rangers? Kevin Frandsen was outrighted by the Phillies on Sunday, and perhaps the Rangers could swing a deal for him – after all, he’s at least competent with the bat, unlike the current, in-house options for Texas. Making a trade for a player like Frandsen or one of his kin wouldn’t be all that much of an upgrade over Rosales, Lillibridge, or Wilson, but at least he has the potential to offer *something* with the bat.
In reality, this injury couldn’t happen at a worse time for the Rangers – we’re one short week away from Opening Day, and they now have to replace one of their offensive starters (at a position that isn’t exactly too strong throughout the league) for upwards of three months. If Texas gets the news on Profar two weeks ago, they’d at least have time to maneuver. Right now, they’re stuck in between a rock and a hard place up in the middle.
