John Daniels is either a genius or a goat this year, but when has that ever been any different. It seems every year the team goes into spring training missing something, and this year is really no different.
Starting pitching is always a priority and the Rangers added Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross, while losing Colby Lewis and Derek Holland. Ross had Thoracic Outlet Surgery and may not be ready until mid-June or later and the team says they plan to take it slow with him. However his career ERA is 3.64 and the Rangers are hoping that he can return to his 2014 form which saw a career low ERA of 2.81. Cashner has a career ERA of 3.89. Both of those career numbers were far better than Lewis or Holland, but both have question marks. How they perform has everything to do with the Rangers season.
This represents the perfect candidates that Daniels has always liked, players who have gas left in the tank, and if they pitch just to their career numbers they represent a vast improvement over what the team put out last year. Assuming that Yu Darvish, and Cole Hamels have their normal seasons, and Martin Perez finds some consistency this group of players on paper have all the skins to show a strong pitching staff.
Add in the other candidates of AJ Griffin, Hauschild, and prior candidates of Nick Martinez and Chi Chi Gonzales and there is the depth the team needs to get through 162 games.
The bullpen has almost everyone back except for Deikman who may return post all-star break. You should know that other writers are criticising the bullpen, but it should be a team strength, there is simply too much talent for it to be otherwise.
The addition of, Mike Napoli at first base, and the competition of many others trying to make the team has created team depth at every position. That leaves a remaining question at DH, yet again there are options and depending on how Josh Hamilton, Joey Galloway and several others do that should not be a problem.
The outfield, with Mazara in left, Carlos Gomez in center, and Choo in right seems set. However if the team needs relief then Delino Deshields might be a perfect fit for left field allowing Mazara to move to right and that would be one of the fastest outfield’s in all of the majors. Which could allow Choo to be the left-handed bat needed at DH. The infield is set with Beltre, Andrus, and Odor, with Profar the super utility player that is coveted by half the teams in the league.
This team has the bats, and just a reminder the unlikely candidate of Roughned Odor led the team in home runs last year.
Finally, the biggest item is that the Rangers are far under last years budget. There are other writers who are saying the Rangers budget is $166 million, but they are inaccurate because they do not take into account roughly $35 million from other teams and insurance. Compared to 2016 that leaves the franchise with roughly $20 million in payroll flexibility.
The additional financial flexibility should allow them to negotiate with Yu Darvish for a long-term deal during spring training. If Daniels is the sneaky genius that I think he is, then look for a 5-year deal worth about $125 million with a couple of option years. Everyone knows that allowing him to explore free agency at the end of this season is just unacceptable.
This is the defending AL Champions and no matter what the so-called experts say they are still the team to beat.
My guess is that Daniels has been at his under the radar sneaky best this off-season. The team again has a brilliant mix of young players and veterans, a mix of proven stats and those trying to make a comeback, and all of them have reason to believe in a solid season. There is nothing more dangerous than players who have all kinds of talent, provided every chance for success, and playing for bigger contracts should things go well. If the pitching staff works out this could be the best rotation in all of baseball. If not this is a 60 win team. I would bet on Daniels he has surprised us every year.
To all of the other sports writers and prognosticators who are picking this team 3rd or 4th, they have missed it every year and I fully expect they are wrong again. Yes, the Mariners are a better team that already had the 3rd lowest ERA in the league, and yes, the Astros finally spent some money and added a strong catcher. However, the Mariners bullpen is suspect, and so is the Astros, as every team has some warts.
Hope is always springing eternal as they start the cactus league, but in many ways I feel better about this team than I did the year they last went to the series. It will be another fun ride!
I hope you are as excited as I am!!
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