Sports

Rangers Mailbag: Dropping Andrus To 7th?

March 27, 2015 / 5:36 PM CDT / CBS Texas

By Jared Sandler | @SandlerJ

105.3 THE FAN -- One of my favorite things about working in sports media is connecting with people and engaging in conversation. I'm always happy to answer your questions about the Rangers -- or, anything you'd like to ask.

Feel free to send them in on twitter @sandlerj (#AskJared) or by email, sandlerj1@gmail.com. I'll answer your questions as best as I can.

Each week, I'll select some questions and post them along with my answers online for others to see.It's an interesting question. I won't ever claim to know more than any of the Rangers' baseball people, but from time-to-time we might have a difference in opinion and this is one of those times.

Should Elvis drop to the 7th or 8th [spot in the batting order] and [Shin-Soo] Choo bat second? @InGodsCountryOK

I'd really like to see Elvis Andrus hit lower in the order. Not seventh of eighth, but ninth. He shared with me earlier in camp that he doesn't mind hitting ninth because it allows him to have a more aggressive approach at the plate. He's not a 20+ home run guy or anything, but he's a guy who can hitting for more extra base power with a more attacking approach. Imagine a guy hitting at the bottom of the Rangers' lineup like Andrus. It deepens their nine and also takes pressure off of Andrus.

There's also a growing trend in baseball of hitting your best batter second. The Angels do this with Mike Trout and the Reds do this with Joey Votto. For the Rangers, that would be Beltre, but best hitter is a relative term and some people feel like that should be devoted to your best "on-base" guy, not your best batting average guy. In that case, as you suggested, Shin-Soo Choo would be a great fit.

Shockingly, Jeff Banister hasn't considered my opinion and it appears that Andrus will be the team's second hitter to begin the year. I don't think that's a terrible strategy, it just wouldn't be the first lineup option I presented to the team.

Q: Any indication that Andrus will return to his 2013 form on the bases? @Adam_Crouch

There are several reasons to believe Andrus will be a stronger--and more efficient--force on the bases this year.

First, he's more physically prepared this year than last year. Much was made of his off-season workouts--or, lack thereof--a mistake Elvis admitted and for which he assumed responsibility. He rededicated himself this off-season, engaging in yoga, among other more traditional practices. Its resulted in a more fit and nimble looking Andrus, who has cut some extra baggage.

Secondly, Andrus has a manager who has harped on his players being dynamic on the bases. Jeff Banister has shared that he wants other teams to have to gameplan for his players' base-running abilities. It seems like Andrus will have the green light to wreck some havoc.

Finally, Andrus wants to rediscover the player who was once the best base runners in baseball. Andrus told me earlier in camp that he wants to "impact" the game on the bases.

Add all of these components together and I think we have a guy who will certainly take steps forward as a base runner.

Q: How many wins do you think it will take to win the AL West? @Jswishdaman

There are plenty of services that provide a more scientific estimation of these things, but my unscientific guess is 91 wins.

The West is a very curious division. How healthy can the Angels remain? Are the Mariners for real? Will the Athletics find a way as they typically do?

I think at least one team will emerge from this division as a prime World Series contender (yes, I realize every team that makes the playoffs is a contender, but certain teams enter the playoffs with more fanfare than others and I think an AL West team will be one of those). But I don't think anyone will totally run away with this thing to the tune of 97+ wins. So, 91 sounded like a good number.

Q: Will Delino DeShields Jr. make the team's Opening Day roster? @Riley M.

It appears that he will. As a Rule V (five) acquisition, the Rangers would have to offer him back to the Astros if they didn't place him on the MLB roster, so that's added incentive. But the decision makers appear intrigued by his "unique skillset" enough to offer him a spot, despite not quite being an MLB-ready hitter. His defense has been inconsisent, but there have been flashes of strong play in centerfield, mixed in with some circuitous routes. His speed, however, is dynamic, and that's the most enthralling part of his package.

Q: Who is the hardest worker on the team? @LeAnne F.

It's too tough to identify one player as the hardest worker, but I can tell you that the first person to arrive at the complex routinely is Shin-Soo Choo. He typically arrives before 5 a.m., which beats manager Jeff Banister to the park.

Choo is and always has been an intensely focused and hard worker, but that's not to say that there aren't others like him on the club.

Q: I've read you're a big movie guy. Favorite? @W2namKFlya

I am. My favorite movie is The Shawshank Redemption. To provide a little more insight, I also love Marvel's superhero series with Iron Man being my favorite of the characters.