The Rangers added a needed element to the lineup with the signing of third baseman Asdrubal Cabrera, which become official Thursday.
Cabrera is a switch-hitter who has been effective from the right side. Over the last three seasons, he hit .316 with a .796 OPS against left-handers.
The Rangers needed a right-handed presence to counter their abundance of left-hander hitters. The club likely will have five left-handed hitters as front-line players: Shin-Soo Choo, Joey Gallo, Ronald Guzman, Nomar Mazara and Rougned Odor.
The Rangers were vulnerable to left-handers last season. They were 22-35 when the opponent started a left-hander.