The Rangers told outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. that he will not earn a spot on their Opening Day roster, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News tweets. DeShields has been in camp as a non-roster invitee, but it’s not yet clear if he will remain in the organization. The Rangers will lean on Joey Gallo, David Dahl, Leody Tavaras and Eli White as their top four outfielders, while utilitymen Brock Holt and Charlie Culberson (who hasn’t yet made the team) are also capable of playing in the grass.
[RELATED: Reviewing The Rangers’ Offseason]
The 28-year-old DeShields signed a minor league contract with the Rangers during the offseason in hopes of landing a second major league act with the club. He appeared in the majors with the Rangers in each season from 2015-19, topping out as a 2.1-fWAR contributor in 2017, but was never much of an offensive threat. While DeShields did amass 106 stolen bases as a Ranger, he batted just .246/.326/.342 (76 wRC+) with 18 home runs in 1,936 plate appearances.
DeShields’ first Texas tenure ended when the Rangers sent him to the Indians in December 2019 as part of a trade centering on two-time AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. Cleveland ended up getting little from DeShields, who hit .252/.310/.318 (72 wRC+) without a homer and stole just three bases in 120 PA last year. The Indians then non-tendered him during the winter.
White Sox?
Billy Hamilton is essentially the same player, but they are now kind of light on outfield depth.
Calhoun too
Come on delino has a lil more value than billy
I agree. While Delino doesn’t carry a big stick or anything like that, Billy Hamilton might be one of the worst MLB hitters I’ve ever personally seen. Career .OPS just over .600. Puke. Zero pop. Doesn’t walk nearly enough to utilize his only skill set. You can’t steal first base. Dude is a pinch runner/8th-9th inning OFer. He should really go to one of the Asian leagues, where anyone commenting on these boards can hit .250 at least, which means Billy could easily crack .230.
A little bit of trivia. This guys father the Delino Deshields who was a 1st round draft pick of the Expos in 1987 was once traded straight across for a young Pedro Martinez.
Uggh You didn’t have to remind me, sad part is that was only the first of two hall of famers that the Dodgers GM, Fred Claire, traded away. The second being Mike Piazza.
Eli White and Leody Taveras deserved it WAY before DDS did. White and Taveras have earned their keep this ST.
You wanna know who else has been doing unbelievable things this ST? Ex-Pirate/Astro, Jason Martin. I hope he makes the team (even though we have too many lefties as is), but the dude’s been absolutely mashing.
dude i litteraly told everyone here that was a good move to sign him.
I had to go back and look, but you were absolutely SLANDERED for what you said: mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/rangers-sign-jharel-cot… But hey, look who’s laughing now.
I hope he works out though; I’d love to see a former Astro rake with us.
i get trashed for a lot here if we’re honest.
I would be absolutely fine if you were right about this.
Btw, wtf happened to Matt Moore? He was great in Asia, and he’s now having a good ST. Y’all might have actually found something there.
well outside of yesterday, yeah. quite frankly i remember the broadcast saying something about his reasoning for going to the NPB but didn’t quite remember it.
You may have a drinking problem then.
Just being honest, when you comment on every article, you’re gonna get trashed a lot. That just is what is. Over saturation. It’s one thing to love baseball and wanna talk about it, and honestly that’s what these boards used to be, but when you share your opinion on every minor league signing, and constantly get into bickering arguments, you’re going to be a target. I mean, look at your boy Rangers29. While he certainly posts a lot, he’s clearly not stirring the pot, and his thoughts are usually backed up by evidence or information. You may disagree with him, but there isn’t any trolling. Sometimes, less is more. Go Baseball.
White Sox, Astros, Rockies, all thin on OF depth
I’d like to see him on the Expos
Good idea but they might prefer Pedro Martinez.
or Denny Martinez
Sometime in the early 90’s I was at a Giants/Expos game at Candlestick Park. My dad and I were walking to our seats and I found an autographed Delino DeShields card on the ground. True story.
Would’ve bet money on this the second David Dahl joined
I get what you’re saying but DD is missing out primarily because he lost the battle with Eli White.
His father was the best athlete I ever saw at the high school level….He chose baseball because he came from nothing and needed the signing bonus…..He was actually a better basketball player with multiple scholarships….and was going to Nova….but decided to take the much needed money
I saw his dad in high school also. You from Delaware?
I realize numbers are numbers (bad compared against bad is still bad), but Delino was the Indians best-hitting outfielder last year. By no means was he great, but I thought he was better than people gave him credit for.