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Texas Rangers

2012 – Finished second in AL West

Record: 93-69

The Rangers were one of the favourites to go all the way last season after two consecutive World Series appearances came up just short against the Giants and Cardinals respectively. They were in first place in the AL West for every single day but the last after a torrid run which saw them lose nine of their last 13 games, which includes getting swept in their final series of the season at Oakland. The Athletics won the division on the last day after a do-or-die game with the Rangers, which meant Texas had to make do with a one-game playoff against Baltimore, which they lost. Texas have lost a lot of big names over the last two seasons, including the likes of C.J. Wilson, Mike Napoli, Michael Young, Mike Adams and most recently Josh Hamilton to the rival Angels, and while they are still one of the top offences in the league (they scored the most runs in the majors last year), there are plenty of question marks after losing such key players.

Texas has plenty of exciting young prospects on the way up but having said that, the Angels have acquired the Rangers’ best hitter while Oakland are now genuine contenders, so the West is going to be tough for Texas in 2013. Unlike the last few years, Texas will have a lot of competition and we may see a bit of a power shift in this division for the first time in several seasons.

INCOMINGS

P Nate Robinson, Kyle McClellan, Jason Frasor, Joakim Soria

IF Jeff Baker, Lance Berkman

C A.J. Pierzynski

OUTGOINGS

P Ryan Dempster, Mike Adams, Koji Uehara

IF Michael Young

C/1B Mike Napoli

OF Josh Hamilton

Outfielders

The usually injured Nelson Cruz played 159 games last season (a career high) but produced about as much as he usually does in a normal 115 game season (.260, 24 home runs, 90 RBI). He strikes out a lot but with Hamilton gone he is the only power threat in the outfield and will have to produce more over a longer season (barring injury of course). David Murphy also had a career high in games played last year (147) and was very reliable – .304, 15 HR, 61 RBI, 65 R. He is a solid outfielder who can play every position. Leonys Martin is one of Texas’ top prospects after rocketing through 128 minor league games (.323, 16 HR, 84 RBI). He has the chance to be a big part of the team this year, while Craig Gentry will most likely be the fourth outfielder like last year, a guy who possesses good speed and doesn’t strike out much.

Infielders

Mitch Moreland will play first base and although he isn’t an elite player at this position, he has looked solid over the last two seasons. He is batting .265 while averaging 16 home runs, 50 RBIs, 50 runs and 20 doubles over that time. Lance Berkman only played in 32 games last year due to his advancing age but in 2011 he hit 31 home runs with 94 RBIs, and it’s likely the 37-year-old will DH in Texas so the injury risk will be less and his production could be very good once again. Ian Kinsler didn’t match his 2011 performance at second base last year but he has averaged 26 HR and 74 RBI with 113 R over the last two years, which is what you should expect in 2013. Elvis Andrus is a quality shortstop who batted .286 last year with 62 RBI, 85 runs and 21 stolen bases. He is a very consistent player year-to-year. At third base is Adrian Beltre, a great defender at his position who has been fantastic at the plate recently. Over his last three seasons he has been right around the same production, and in 2012 his numbers were very good – .321, 36 HR, 102 RBI and 95 runs.

Catchers

Brought over in a trade this winter, former White Sox A.J. Pierzynski had a huge bounce back year in 2012 after two disappointing seasons, batting .278 with 27 HR, 77 RBI and 68 R. At 36 it will be tough for the backstop to repeat, but his numbers will be an improvement on the departed Mike Napoli. Geovany Soto will catch the majority of Yu Darvish’s games but his pop is the only thing keeping him at this level; he strikes out a ton and is a pretty bad hitter.

Starters

Matt Harrison had a great 2012 after a very good 2011. In those two seasons he has gone 32-20 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP, making him a reliable ace for this staff going forward. Darvish went 16-9 in 2012 with a 3.90 ERA and while he isn’t the most consistent pitcher, he strikes out a lot of batters and keeps the ball in the ballpark. Derek Holland went 12-7 in 2012 with a relatively high ERA (4.67), and his 1.22 WHIP is right where he will be in 2013. Alexi Ogando is moving back into the rotation after spending a year in the bullpen in 2012 where he put up a 3.27 ERA. He is still only 29 and must now kick on. Martin Perez, 21, is the Rangers’ top pitching prospect but has struggled to get his ERA under 4 in the minors. Colby Lewis is returning from elbow surgery and won’t be ready until at least May. In 2012 he went 6-6 with a 3.43 ERA and 1.08 WHIP but it’s hard to tell how he will be after reconstructive surgery.

Relievers

37-year-old closer Joe Nathan had a big bounce back year as he moved from the Twins to Texas, saving 37 games in 40 chances while posting a 2.80 ERA. Joakim Soria missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, while the Rangers added Jason Frasor following the loss of middle reliever Mike Adams to free agency.