5 questions the Rangers must answer this offseason

This story was excerpted from Kennedi Landry's Rangers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter_, click here. _And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers answered their biggest offseason question this week when three-time World Series champion Bruce Bochy was announced as the 20th full-time manager in franchise history.

But now that the most important hole has been filled, what’s next? Texas still has a ways to go to be fully competitive, but general manager Chris Young and majority owner Ray Davis have emphasized that they expect to be playing in October come 2023.

Here are five questions still facing the Rangers this offseason as the club looks to reach that goal:

1. What will Texas do about its pitching coach vacancy?

This will likely be Bochy’s first order of business as the Rangers’ new manager after the dismissal of co-pitching coach Doug Mathis at the conclusion of the season. Mathis' counterpart, Brendan Sagara, was reassigned to a role within Minor League player development.

Considering where the pitching staff finished 2022, the Rangers' front office is clearly looking for a total overhaul of the pitching staff. Texas finished 22nd in MLB with a 4.22 team ERA this season, despite Martín Pérez (2.89 ERA) and Jon Gray (3.96 ERA) leading the way.

What does Young want in a pitching coach?

“Ultimately a good coach, whether it's a pitching coach, hitting coach, bench coach, catching coach, whomever,” he explained. “I really believe in the ability to connect with a player to understand the technical aspects of the position and combine that with the psychological aspects in a way that sets the player up for success by helping them understand who they are and what they have to do to be successful. And ultimately, it's easier said than done, but the best coaches have a blend of both the technical skill, the specific coaching abilities, but also the psychological.”

2. Will Pérez still be a Ranger in 2023?

Pérez wants to come back to Texas. The Rangers seem to want him back. This really shouldn't even be a question. The two sides were in talks for an extension around the Trade Deadline, so it really should be done as soon as possible after the conclusion of the World Series.

The 31-year-old had a career year, securing his first All-Star season with a 12-8 record and a 2.89 ERA over 196 1/3 innings. With Gray the only solidified big league starting pitcher under contract, a Pérez extension is the perfect first step.

3. Who fills out the back half of the rotation?

Even if the Rangers do re-sign Pérez as expected, there are still glaring holes in the rotation depth chart. Dane Dunning and rookies Glenn Otto and Cole Ragans rounded it out down the stretch in 2022, but none of the three posted an ERA below 4.00.

The Rangers will no doubt turn to the free-agent market. If Pérez and Gray both return to form and one of Dunning, Otto and Ragans takes a huge step forward, Texas could use an ace to hold it down. Dallas native Clayton Kershaw is a free agent once again, as is another DFW-area arm in Noah Syndergaard. Jacob DeGrom is the biggest name on the market, and Carlos Rodón, Justin Verlander and Chris Bassitt would clearly be quality adds.

4. Which of the young outfielders will stick?

Adolis García has proven himself every step of the way to be a quality big leaguer, but who plays next to him in the outfield down the line? Specifically, what’s going on in left field?

Thirteen players appeared in left field for the Rangers this season, compiling a .508 OPS. That includes the speedy rookie Bubba Thompson, who hit .265 while stealing 18 bases in 55 games. While some veterans like Brad Miller, Kole Calhoun and Charlie Culberson saw time there, rookies such as Thompson and Josh Smith consistently got most of the reps down the stretch.

Center field may once again come down to Leody Taveras and a healthy Eli White, but Thompson could earn reps there as well.

5. How active will they be on the trade market?

The Rangers want to improve in any way possible, but do they want to sell the entire farm to do so? Probably not, but they’ll still actively monitor the market, specifically as it pertains to young, controllable starting pitchers.

Texas’ farm system is armed with six Top 100 prospects, as well as elite depth up and down the system. A couple of middle infield prospects -- who now have their path to the big leagues blocked by Corey Seager and Marcus Semien -- could be on the trade block if the right deal comes up.