2013 MLB Preview: Texas Rangers
By Josh Hill
The 2013 Texas Rangers are going to be tough to figure out, and they may remain a mystery the entire season. From losing veterans like Josh Hamilton and Michael Young in the offseason to adding even more aged veterans like Lance Berkman and A.J. Pierzynksi, the Rangers are going to be an interesting story to follow this season.
One bright spot remains young outfielder Jurickson Profar, who essentially has the future of the franchise riding on his shoulders. Chances are, the type of season the young Profar has will have a major effect on the Rangers final record. But luckily for them, Profar’s future looks bright, which means the 2013 season looks like it will be more of the same success for Texas.
Best Case Scenario
The Rangers new lineup picks up where the old one left off, and while the production of Josh Hamilton isn’t totally made up by a single player, the team finds a way to survive. More importantly, the starting rotation holds together the entire season and hold the slip ups to a minimum. Texas also happens to go on a hot streak when the Angels are slumping, meaning in late August the Rangers take over first place and the AL West becomes their’s to lose.
Worst Case Scenario
The new additions show their age, the pitching staff is riddled by injury and they can’t get any run support from the various lineups that are tried out. The power struggle between Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan also rears it’s ugly head and the team suffers as a result with Daniels wanting to take the team in one direction while Ryan wants to go the other way. Couple this with the ferocity of the Angels and the stoutness of the A’s and the Rangers fall back to third in the division.
Most Likely Case
What will most likely happen is that the Rangers will have to get hot over the summer around July to make a stand in the West. They’re not only watching out for the upstart A’s, but they need to (obviously) watch out for the Angels who now have Hamilton and a revamped roster. Still, there’s not real reason why the Rangers can’t finish second in the West and post over 90 wins. Their roster is aged but in a fine wine sort of way that ends up helping them with their experience.
It’s not going to be an easy season and the Rangers have their work cut out for them, but at the end of the day, their in the upper tier of the three tier AL West. The A’s are a threat but the Rangers must focus on the Angels if they want to make a return to the playoffs, and they have the roster to make it happen.