Rangers at Half-Way Mark

[FWHORN]

A better than expected 47-34 given the injuries that just keep coming in waves for this team. If you had told me that 3/5ths of the expected starting rotation would be on the DL the amount of time they have been and that Kinsler, Moreland etc would all miss significant time and even that Yu would go over a month without a win, I would have expected the Rangers to be about where the Angels are.

The Rangers have the same record as the A's through 81 games and that suggests 94 games will likely be needed to win the west. Perez has shown in his last two starts why everyone was so excited about him. I cant wait for Tepesch to no longer be needed as he has become the expected L every time he takes the mound. The bullpen with Ross, Cotts, Nathan et al have become the backbone of this team, get a lead into the 7th and the Rangers have the arms to make that lead stand up.

The Nellie Cruz situation is worrisome as he seems to have re-found his bat but sounds like that will be protracted and not impact this year.

Going to be an interesting second half of the season.

 

[ViperHorn]

With the injuries they have had 48 wins is a good result. Realizing that Ogando is a reliever is a plus. That said JD needs to find another starter and a big bat.

 

[cmtsip]

Rangers

 

[WorsterMan]

If they would just rid themselves of Kirkman for good... in the meantime I am very pleased where they are.

 

[Crockett]

The Rangers need another outfielder that brings a potent bat. Murphy and Gentry are great as fourth and fifth outfielders, but they don't hit for the power and average you need from everyday starters.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Crockett is absolutely correct. David Murphy is, by all reports, a great teammate and a positive clubhouse influence, but you cannot have a corner outfielder hitting .220 - and he's a Free Agent at the end of the season. I see one player out there for whom I'd give up Profar, if necessary - Giancarlo Stanton. And Stanton would be under control for three years.

Don't be too hard on Tepesch - he was rushed before he was ready (out of necessity). And he has shown potential. But he does need a season at AAA to develop. Getting Colby back would be a great plus. And JD may yet engineer a trade for a decent starter (David Price, maybe - but not at the cost of Profar or Olt). Soria should be able to help in the bullpen, which has far exceeded reasonable expectations so far.

Agree - it may take 94 wins to lock up the AL West. But the Rangers have had a pretty tough schedule so far, and are still in first place. Oakland may get bitten by the injury bug somewhere along the way. I think the Angels have simply dug themselves too deep a hole (again).

Let's see what happens leading up to the trade deadline.

HHD

 

[LikeMike]

Our manager does not play Profar, so why not trade him?

 

[Hook 'Em Danno]

FW Horn's assessment is spot on. That being said, even though I really like Wash and think he is the type of guy the players like to play for, I've never been a big fan of his management of the pitching staff. I am concerned that the pitching decisions (even when the staff is at full strength) will be the Achilles heel of this team. Sure hope I'm wrong about that.

 

[Crockett]

HHD -- That trade does sound intriguing. Another idea, trade Andrus, a good slap hitter and let Profar take his spot. Andrus is a great fielder and does a pretty good job of getting on base, but he doesn't hit for power. Profar does already. Signed for several years, Adrus should have value to bring back a pretty good power hitting outfielder or a starting pitcher.