Do you think the Texas Rangers have a chance to win the AL West this season?

Answer 1

Very good chance. With the improvements the Rangers have made this off-season, the team most certainly will make a run at claiming the West. Even though Seattle seems to have helped themselves immensely, they needed to improve alot just to keep out of last. l think the Ranges will do very well and win the division.

Answer 2

Anything is possible in the AL West where no one team looks to be dominant.

But if they want to really make it happen, first things first, they need to move the walls back about 20 feet. Does it hurt the offense, sure a little bit, but I think Texiera can mash in a bigger field too. They have a solid pitching staff, they just play on a high school field and that's the biggest issue. The offense is solid and has kept them in the hunt late into the season the last few years, but without a solid pitching core it's never going to happen.

Having both Otsuka and Gagne to round out the bullpen helps. I think if they can move the walls back a bit and make one or two solid moves to cobble together the right mix of veterans and youngsters, they Rangers can be a very competitive team. I realize that McCarthy was an inspired move, but the back-end of the rotation has some holes, but there is still time to fill them. Look at the pick ups the Mets have made with guys like Aaron Sele or the Twins and Ramon Ortiz. Those types of low-risk, high-reward pick-ups could be the difference in what is usually a tight division.

I think the Rangers have the talent and made a great move by getting rid of Showalter, but now they need to really focus on assembling a top of the line rotation and strengthen the bullpen.

PS: I think if they can find the money to land Zambrano this next offseason and someone like Santana the year after...their rotation is set. I realize neither man might make it to free agency if they sign extensions and I realize that the bigger markets will throw out big bucks, but Texas has cash...lots of it...and they've proven before that they aren't afraid to spend it.

PPS: Getting Zito would have been a mistake. Thank God San Fran over paid for him!

Answer 3

The Rangers need to do two things. Dump Showalter and get some starting pitching. The good news started with getting rid of Showalter. No idea if Washington can manage but he can't be worse than Showalter. They have some young arms. if any of these guys develop the Rangers can contend since the whole AL West is hurting for pitching. The Rangers have what is probably the most potent offense in Baseball but under Showalter it was smothered by Showalter's dictorial style of management. Every one of the Ranger's hitters had one of their worst seasons. When that happens it's the manager's fault. Blalock, Young, Tex all had really bad years. Some of the worst of their careers. All are very reliable hitters in their prime. there is a good mix of vets and youngsters on the team. Lots of talent. Under the new manager they should come back out and hit like they normally hit.

I predict the Rangers will start badly. Especially if they bring Sosa up. I can't believe they signed him. Then as the season wears on they will find a good young arm. Perhaps Mulder will start to make a comeback. Expecting him to come in and be anything but horrible initially is too much. Mulder is coming off major arm surgery and has to learn how to pitch all over again. The old Mulder is gone. If he can step in and keep his ERA under 5 and win a dozen games then the Rangers will be very competitive. Millwood is due for a decent year. Padilla might pick up a little but it'll probably be a last hurrah for him. Osaka makes nice insurance as a closer. Gagne if he can come back is one of the best the game has seen in recent years. Hoffman did it but odds are Gagne won't be as good as he was before he hurt his arm. Still it'll be better than almost anybody who closed for the Rangers since Wetteland.

After that, the Rangers just don't have the pitching to get to the WS. Nor are they really on par with AL Central and East teams. Pitching is too weak. Hitting the Rangers can go toe to toe with anybody in baseball. In fact if the Rangers would move their fences back it's cost them a few HRs but cost opponents plenty. The Rangers have real power on their team. Guys who can hit it out of anywhere. They need to give their pitchers a break and pull those fences back.

Answer 4

Absolutely not. This is a team that finished well out of the race last year, then lost two all-stars (Carlos Lee and Gary Matthews Jr.) in the offseason as well as Mark DeRosa.

Their pitching is a joke, relying on the arm of Kevin Millwood, who did not meet expectations last year. They traded for McCarthy, who will have a hard time adjusting to hitter-friendly Ameriquest Field.

The Rangers could very well finish in dead last next season.

Answer 5

not a chance. the A's are going to be win the AL West, the rangers pitching staff is a joke. asides from young i dont really like anyone on their team. texira or whoever u spell is name looks like he just had a solid year two years ago.

Answer 6

maybe ,the rangers with the additon to eric gagne which brings a solid closer (if healthy ),and sammy sosa who also bring some power into the lineup.remember the lost of barry zito to the NL. being that his dominanance and big hurt leaving to the north remember the A's won the west for the couple season for now ,the mariners a rerally not a factor and the angels are aging . their 4 allstar teixiera ,young, blalock and matthews jr bring youth and talent .with more picthing added with millwood and padilla brings a solid rotation the possibiltes are endless

Answer 7

I hope so. We seem to have a habit of getting good talent (such as Gagne) that is tainted with injuries. If he and other players stay healthy and our pitching rotation is solid then we have a shot.

Answer 8

They have a chance, but I don't think they will.

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

I dont think so..