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Texas Rangers need to shift to Plan B with Josh Jung news

By David Hill

Sep 18, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa (9) throws to first base in the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa (9) throws to first base in the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Texas Rangers were expected to be busy on the trade front once the lockout ended. With prospect Josh Jung on the cusp of reaching the majors, and the signings of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, Isiah Kiner-Falefa was considered the odd man out. While he would be a perfect fit as a super utility player, his excellent defense and versatility could have made him an intriguing candidate on the trade block.

That has changed. Jung suffered an injury to his shoulder last week while working out and underwent surgery to repair a torn left labrum on Wednesday morning. In the best case scenario, he will be able to serve as a designated hitter in another six months.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa back in Texas Rangers plans

At this point, it is doubtful that Jung appears at third at all regardless of whatever level he plays at this year. He could get his feet wet in the majors, seeing some time over the final few weeks of the season to get a sense of life at the big league level and know what it is like to face those pitchers. That experience could pay off in 2023.

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But the upcoming season remains an issue. The Rangers are clearly looking to get out of the rebuilding process with their moves this offseason. While they are still a year or two from being a realistic contender, having Jung in the lineup could get them closer to the .500 mark.

Kiner-Falefa offers a much different profile at the hot corner. He is much more of a contact hitter with much less pop, producing a career .265/.316/.354 batting line in his 1523 plate appearances with just 16 homers and 59 doubles while stealing 38 bases. However, he did win a Gold Glove at third in 2020 and has been brilliant defensively.

That profile works perfectly as a utility player or middle infielder. It does not work well as a starting third baseman for a team looking to emerge from the AL West basement. Jung’s injury now leaves a large hole in the lineup that the Rangers had not been anticipating.

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The Texas Rangers will not have Josh Jung for the majority of the 2022 season, if at all. It is time to look at Plan B in Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

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