AL Champs thirsty for more Rangers determined to prove they aren't a one-year wonder
SURPRISE, AZ - It's a very bizarre, unfamiliar feeling for the Texas Rangers.
After more than a decade of always being deficient in some area, always looking up at the Angels and Athletics in the AL West, always being derided for being an all-offense team in an offense-oriented ballpark, the Rangers put it all together in 2010, seizing the American League West from eight years of Oakland/LAA ownership; and then the Rangers put on a show in the postseason, winning thrilling series over the Rays and the Yankees to win the franchise's first AL pennant.
But the dream ended there, as the San Francisco Giants quieted the Texas bats en route to a five game World Series win, leaving the Rangers heartbroken. Following the season, two of Texas's most important parts left via free agency - slugger Vladimir Guerrero and ace pitcher Cliff Lee.
The nucleus remains largely intact, however. The starting rotation isn't flashy, but it is dependable, with quality starts C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Scott Feldman, Tommy Hunter, and promising rookie Alexi Ogando. A wildcard in the equation is newcomer Brandon Webb. The 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner with Arizona, Webb was one of baseball's most elite pitchers from 2006-2008, with one Cy Young and two runners-up. Things came undone for him in 2009 though, as he pitched just four innings before being sidelined with a shoulder injury that ended his season and kept him out of all of 2010. The Rangers are hopeful that he has recovered fully and will be able to recapture some of the magic he had with the Diamondbacks when he posted six straight sub-4.00 ERA seasons.
In the bullpen, the Rangers have solid middle relief in veterans Darren O'Day and Mark Lowe, and the backend of the bullpen is among the best in baseball, with 41-year old Arthur Rhodes and 40-year old Darren Oliver setting up for 2010 AL Rookie of the Year, closer Neftali Feliz.
On offense, Texas remains as explosive as ever, headlined by sluggers Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton, and supplemented by quality hitters Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, Michael Young, and newcomers Mike Napoli and Adrian Beltre. Cruz and Hamilton possess two of the strongest outfield arms in the league, and Young and Beltre are elite fielders at the corners.
All in all, the Rangers have the look of a team absolutely capable of winning the West again and being a serious contender to get back to the World Series.
Report: Rangers contact Ramirez, Sheets Texas reportedly interested in bolstering lineup and rotation
March 11, 2011
SURPRISE, AZ - The Rangers are about two weeks into spring training and hold a respectable 6-5 record. But apparently they're not interested in settling for "respectable", and may be on the verge of rolling the dice on a couple of tumultuous former stars.
Reports out of the Texas front office say that the Rangers have contacted slugger Manny Ramirez and pitcher Ben Sheets, and are "very interested" in pursuing both with the intent to sign them.
Ramirez, the embattled, controversial 38-year old outfielder, is in the twilight of a controversial career that's involved gaffes in the media, inexplicable play in the field, accusations of laziness, a 50-game suspension, and a continued string of excellence at the plate. If the Rangers were to sign him, he would replace Vlad Guerrero as the full-time designated hitter, and provide an already powerful lineup with another big bat.
Sheets, on the other hand, is not too dissimilar from recent Texas signee Brandon Webb. A four-time all-star with phenominal stuff on the mound, Sheets' career has been plagued by back, shoulder, and various other arm injuries that have seen him go on the DL seven different times. The recent injuries have threatened his career, as a tear in his right elbow late in the 2008 season kept him out for all of 2009. When he returned with Oakland last season, he went 4-9 in 20 starts before suffering another tear in his elbow, which ended his season.
The Rangers have plenty of open space in their budget to sign both, but even if they didn't, Ramirez's advanced age and baggage and Sheets' injury history make both of them very affordable, with a low risk/high reward return.
Rangers sign Ramirez and Sheets Bargain prices seal the deal for the two veterans as Texas prepares for the season
March 29, 2011
SURPRISE, AZ - As the preseason comes to a close, the Rangers made their move this afternoon, finalizing deals with outfielder/DH Manny Ramirez and starting pitcher Ben Sheets.
They signed both veterans to one year contracts; Ramirez will make 7.5 million, and Sheets will make 5.5.
The Rangers finished the spring with a 15-13 record in the Cactus League, but now that the real games are about to begin, they're confident they've got a team ready to compete.
"We're very excited," GM Jon Daniels said. "We were already excited before we signed Manny and Ben, and with them in the fold, we're even more excited for the season. They're both tremendous additions, and we hope they can stay healthy and contribute."
06-20-2011, 02:15 AM
