Through the first four months or so of the Texas Rangers' 2015 season, they were absolutely baffled by left-handed pitching, so much so that teams would often adjust their rotation or call up a minor-leaguer for a spot start just because the Rangers couldn't hit southpaws.
That was alleviated greatly with the return to dominance from Adrian Beltre down the stretch, as well as the acquisition of Mike Napoli in early August as the veteran can still mash lefties even if he can't hit right-handed pitching to save his life.
So what happens in 2016 with the still lefty-heavy lineup? Well, quite simply, it's going to have to change a bit. The Rangers took a risk in 2015 with its lefty-heavy lineup, and it didn't work out well for them.
There isn't a lot of money to spend in free agency, and the prospect pool has dwindled a bit after the Cole Hamels deal, so there is not going to be a lot of flexibility to go out and get anyone the Rangers want this winter. They've long been enamored by Justin Upton, for example, but that's not a realistic option.
The Rangers will have to get creative to adding some right-handed balance to their lineup, but it is a doable adjustment, and it could involve some guys already in the mix here (Napoli, anyone?).
