Rangers 2013: a reassessment

[FWHORN]

At the beginning of 2013 a lot of folks, myself included thought this would be a rebuilding year in Arlington. Colby was out until mid summer as was Nefti. No Young, no Hamilton and both Angels and A's teams that looked stout to contend with.

Now add to that what played out over 2013, Every single pitcher in the starting rotation on opening day has spent time on the DL. Harrison was lost for the year in April, Colby never did make it back. The Rangers have started 13 different pitchers with pitchers like Tepesch and Grimm getting multiple starts.

Kinsler, Moreland and Berkman all spent significant time on the DL with Berkman being a non factor over half the season. The Cruz soap opera played out and ultimately he was lost for 50 games.

If you look at this year through those glasses having 88 wins and a shot at the playoffs at this point is something of a minor miracle. Before the season began, the Rangers being at the 88 win mark at this point would be a great scenario and if you take the September collapse and spread those losses over the course of the year how different would we be looking at this season.

I am just gutted by a second straight September collapse but if you take the long season perspective aren't the Rangers where they should be with all the misfortune, injuries and suspensions?

3 big games to go and still a shot at the playoffs that is an accomplishment for this team.

 

[Vol Horn 4 Life]

The Indians just won't lose.....but on the flip side the Rangers are giving them hell too because they refuse to lose. Playoffs or not I'm impressed with the closing effort. Will be great motivation going into next year.

 

[jayakris]

Heck, with 1 game to go, we are still not out. Nice to see this last gasp effort. Kudos to the Rangers for not quitting after that unbelievable bad streak this month.

 

[FWHORN]

1 game with your fate in your hands and Yu Darvish on the mound against the hated Angels.

Go Rangers!

 

[Hook 'Em Danno]

^^^. This team should've never been in this position-- i.e., playing what, in all likelihood, is effectively a play-in game to get the right to play another play-in game to play the WC play-in game. But, it is what it is.

The good guys are going to need to score some runs though since we all know Darvish is bound to give up a long-ball or two. Not an easy proposition given that Vargas has been pretty effective against the Rangers.

 

[Hook 'Em Danno]

Who woulda thunk it just a week ago? Rangers sweep the Astros and the Angels to tie for a WC spot!

Still not all that thrilled about Wash's handling of his pitchers (see, e.g., Holland's 113 pitch effort during a 12-0 win against the Astros and running Nathan back out for a fourth consecutive game today in a non-save situation even though the Rangers had a 4-run lead--might need him against the Rays), but I'm happy to see the Rangers get a chance at the post season, though I fear it all comes to a crashing end tomorrow.

Onward and upward starting tomorrow.

 

[FWHORN]

Still playing baseball in Arlington, couldnt ask for more!

 

[jayakris]

What an year of streaks for this team! "Who woulda thunk" indeed, a week back. It's also amazing to see three teams winning 8 or more each in their last 10 games, in desperate attempts to get that "coveted" 4th spot in the AL.

 

[Major Marco]

The Rangers favorable record was skewed by having NINETEEN games with one of the worst teams in baseball history, the pitiful Astros, with the Rangers easily winning 17 of them. This greatly contributed to Rangers barely making the playoff game. Yes, you play whoever is on the schedule, so good for the Rangers, but that is a factor that will happen again next year and somewhat inflate their record vis a vis other AL teams without such a scheduling luxury. Someday that scheduling arrangement could go the other way, but obviously not for a while.

 

[FWHORN]

Record wise this was the fifth best season in rangers history. Granted the record is skewed by a ridiculous 32-6 mark against the Astros and the Angels, but nonetheless when you consider all the Rangers went through this year 91-72 has to be looked at as a success. All of us would have liked a fourth straight year of playoffs but it just wasnt in the cards. I am looking forward to next year and a rotation of Colby, Harrison, Yu, Perez and Holland with the best bullpen in baseball. now if we can just sign a hitter or two.

 

[ViperHorn]

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[CanaTigers]

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[HornHuskerDad]

^And addressing the offense will have to be the number one priority in the off-season. Signing McCann as a FA becomes number one on the list, along with determining how to sign Nellie Cruz. Next question - what to do at 1B? Mitch didn't get it done this past season - do we ride it out one more year? Murphy has to go - good teammate or not, you can't have a corner outfielder hitting .220. Matt Garza? Probably commands more as a FA than the Rangers will pay for a number 3 or 4 guy.

Should be an interesting winter.

HHD

 

[FWHORN]

Rangers say they will be making a qualifying offer to Nellie so they may get him for another year or get a first round draft pick in compensation. I agree that getting 2 bats if they lose Nellie and 1 more bat if they can keep Nellie is the priority. I actually like the rotation coming back with Harrison and Lewis so I dont know that more than 1 FA pitcher is needed. Going to be a fun hot stove league winter.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

^FWHORN, you raise an interesting point on the rotation. If everyone is back and healthy (and stays healthy!), the rotation should be in good order - and the bullpen looks solid. I would like to see Joe Nathan come back for one more year before handing it over to Sheppers. Definitely need a big bat, and McCann would fill the need behind the plate and bring a good bat with him. Let's watch to see what happens.

HHD

 

[FWHORN]

HHD, Nathan, Scheppers and Cotts are must keeps with Ogando and Nefti being available for long relief and as set up men with Cotts in 6th and 7th innings. I dont know what to think about Ross but the bullpen was the strength of the team this year and needs to be strong next year for the Rangers to have any chance.

 

[ViperHorn]

Agree the 'pen will be set with or without Nathan. As far as starters:

1. ??
2. Darvish
3. Holland
4. ??
5. ??

Darvish should be a #1 but has shown no signs of being able to consistently pitch like a 1. Holland is a 3 at best (on a championship roster he would be a 4). Harrison has shown the mental make-up to be a 1, but his health will be a question through out the season. Same for Colby who is probably a 2 or 3.

As far as the bats go for this season (excluding Cruz) Texas lost 3 bats (Hamilton, Young and Napoli) and covered with AJ for the season and Rios after Cruz when out. Leaving Cruz to the side, as the year wore on Murphy and Moreland (and if we are honest Martin - but he made up some of the slack with his defense) became liabilities that have to be addressed and the odds are now AJ will not be back. This leaves us now looking for a first baseman and at least one outfielder and someone to cover the loss of AJ. If Cruz is brought back they can probably get by with two new bats, but 3 would be better if going deep in the post season is the goal.

The downer was the article in the DMN this week where JD says the payroll will be going down because attendance went down. This may sound cruel, but attendance should not be the driver here. If the owners are dedicated to building a real World Series contender, attendance should not matter.

 

[zork]

Daniels should take September attendance out of the calculations since the team quit.

 

[FWHORN]

Viper, my rotation would be

1. Harrison
2. Darvish
3. Holland
4. Lewis
5. Perez

Perez has clearly established himself as a starter next year so you have your number 4/5 starter. The key as you say is the health of Harrison and Lewis at 1 and 4. The Rangers had their second best attendance in club history so Daniels is full of it if he blames attendance for a declining payroll. He is creating excuses for his own ineptitude.

 

[CanaTigers]

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[ViperHorn]

FW, I agree your starters are what the Rangers will go to camp with, and 2014 success is probably tied to Harrison and Lewis pitching well from the start and finishing the season.. Perez did make a step forward from his 2012 effort, but tailed off at the end of the season. His performance in the TB play-in game was very disappointing.

If Ogando and Felitz are rolled out as starters (except in an emergency) at any time during the season we will know they have thrown the towel in on the season.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Interesting read in the Startlegram today regarding Ranger Free Agents. Jeff Wilson lists the Rangers who will be Free Agents and puts in his forecast for action. Here's the summary:

Nellie Cruz - signs with Rangers
Joe Nathan - signs with Rangers
Matt Garza - gone. Too expensive
A.J. Pierzynski - gone. Age and durability, although he did well this season.
David Murphy - gone. Can't have a corner outfielder at .220.
Geo Soto - signs with Rangers
Jason Frasor - signs with Rangers
Jeff Baker - gone
Colby Lewis - signs with Rangers.
(Inherent in this list is the assumption that Berkman will retire.)

I think I agree with his assessments on the Ranger FAs. I don't know how much that frees up.

As for JD's statement that budget doesn't increase, I think that's posturing. He doesn't want to say the Rangers have more to spend, otherwise everybody's agent jacks up his asking figure. I think the Rangers will sign McCann at whatever it takes. I think they can convince Nellie to stay. I have no clue what they can do at 1B - that's still a problem.

HHD

 

[ViperHorn]

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[djimaplon]

Wow...no one has even mentioned the elephant in the infield. They have to figure out what they are going to do at 2nd. I hope they keep Profar. He needs the opportunity to develop like Andrus. As per Ian, move him either to left, 1st or another team as a last resort. Not sure what they would get given his contract though and his drop off in offensive production. Depending on where Kinsler goes, I think Kendry Morales would be a good signing. Gentry would be a good replacement for Murphy as the forth outfielder. If Nellie comes back he could DH and play some OF.

 

[ViperHorn]

From the Ft. Worth StarTelegram today:

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