5 Texas Rangers Who Need To Stay Healthy In 2016

By Brad Faber

Heading into the 2015 MLB season, few were expecting big things out of the Texas Rangers after they posted an AL-worst record of 67-95 the previous year and lost Yu Darvish In spring training. However, to the surprise of many, the Rangers went on to win the AL West. If the following five players can stay healthy, the Rangers may very well be a force in the AL West once again in 2016.

5 Texas Rangers Who Need To Stay Healthy In 2016

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Adrian Beltre — Set to enter his 19th MLB season, Adrian Beltre has racked up numbers that many now believe will eventually land him a spot in Cooperstown. Beltre remains an extremely productive player, posting an fWAR of 4.6 or greater in each of the past six seasons. However, with his 37th birthday looming in April, the Rangers will need him to continue aging well as he heads into the final year of his contract.

Prince Fielder — After undergoing neck surgery and missing most of the 2014 campaign, Prince Fielder returned last season to slash a rock-solid .305/.378/.463 with 23 homers and a 126 OPS+. The Rangers will need his productive bat in the middle of their order once again. It is also worth noting that prior to his 2014 injury, Fielder was extremely durable, playing in 547 consecutive games.

Derek Holland — Over the past two seasons, Derek Holland has been limited to only 16 games (15 starts). If the southpaw could regain his 2013 form in which he went 10-9 with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP across 213 innings, it would be a major plus for this club.

Cole Hamels — Still only 32 years old, Cole Hamels has been a dependable workhouse throughout his career, making at least 30 starts in each of the past eight years and throwing at least 200 innings in seven of the past eight. The Rangers are going to need their ace to keep that up.

Yu Darvish — Although he isn't expected to be ready for opening day, the Rangers will need Darvish to stay healthy once he is ready to take the mound again. Before the 29-year-old right-hander missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, he went 39-25 with a 3.27 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and a 128 ERA+ between 2012-14. It would be an enormous boost for the Rangers if Darvish could pick up where he left off.

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