The Texas Rangers were this year’s 2011 Boston Red Sox for the lack of a better explanation. After retaining the AL West lead and even the best record in the entire American League for the majority of the season, they hit a wall at the wrong time.
The final few days of the 2012 season for Texas was comparable to a blur. Their time from the best team in the A.L. to losing the sudden death Wild Card playoff game to the Baltimore Orioles happened so fast, that it’s hard to unravel what the heck happened. But the answer is now clear thanks to some time to digest the events.
The Rangers’ wobbly pitching staff and Josh Hamilton’s woes both defensively and offensively can be deemed the two main variables in their collapse. Over the final ten games of the season, the Rangers’ staff as a whole posted a 5.83 ERA. That includes the bullpen corps as well.
Texas’ starting rotation was never a dominant one per say. They had 11 different pitchers start a game due to injuries and struggles from several players. With that said, the only three pitchers the were reliable were Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Matt Harrison. Outside of that capable trio, the Rangers had a tough time piecing together anything consistent.
But the lack of an “ace” came back to bite them. Darvish could certainly fit that bill in a couple of years, but he wasn’t ready for the spotlight despite pitching well during the wild card game. However, someone of the caliber of Zack Greinke or Cole Hamels would have bolstered their chances of making a strong push into the postseason.
Ryan Dempster wasn’t a bad pick-up, but he’s not an ace in the American League. Especially not in the hitting friendly Rangers Park. While they made an effort to acquire someone of the caliber of Greinke or Hamels, those two were quickly maneuvered to different clubs.
But Hamilton’s late season struggles ultimately refines the point that he might not be back in Texas come spring training of next year. Refining the point even more so, is the dropped fly ball on the final day of the season against the Oakland Athletics. The A’s would go onto win the game and the A.L West. While Hamilton’s error played just a fraction in the loss, it seemed like a bit more than just a fraction.
When your home crowd boos you after a season in which you hit 40+ home runs, it’s time to move on. That is seemingly the feeling surrounding the situation and based on Hamilton’s comments after the loss to Baltimore.
The Rangers have certainly surrendered their status as the powerhouse in the American League, but will they regain that status in 2013?
Here are some moves that could help their cause to regain their supremacy.
Fix the Catcher Situation
It’s safe to say that the Rangers overpaid Mike Napoli. Sure, it might’ve been a foreseeable mistake after Napoli posted a OPS+ of 173 in 2011, but dishing out nearly $10 million for a player who hit north of .230 is overpaying. The power-hitting catcher did swat 24 home runs, but overall, his 2012 campaign wasn’t worthy of the contract he received.
Now, the Rangers face a tough decision on their impending free agent catcher. Do they bring him back at a cheaper price, or do they scrap the bottom of the barrel for a moderate level replacement. Although, replacing Napoli would be a tough task seeing as how the list of free agent catchers consists of sub-par commodities.
Whether or not Texas brings back Napoli, they can’t overpay from him again. But with that said, if they aren’t able to find a suitable alternative, they might have to break the urge to overpay him because their farm system is bleak in the catchers’ department.
Keep Elvis Andrus
Rumors have floated around the landscape that Rangers’ start shortstop could be dealt to clear the way for Jurickson Profar, the Rangers’ highly touted infielder.
With the current second baseman Ian Kinsler under contract for the near future, Profar won’t be taking his spot, presumably. So, unless they convert him into an outfielder, he won’t be seeing much playing time until a spot in the infield opens up.
However, trading the 23 year-old Elvis Andrus won’t be solving this problem. If anything, it’s putting a dent in their future. Andrus is already one of baseball’s best shortstops and he’s still a young pup.
He obviously hasn’t reached his full potential as a hitter which makes him an even more intriguing asset. Most teams don’t have a decent shortstop, period. It’s a rather weak position these days, but the Rangers aren’t in that boat with Andrus. Keeping themselves in the “good” boast would be wise.
There probably isn’t a deal out there that would entice the Rangers enough to dangle Andrus, anyways. A package involving Justin Upton seems like a possibility, but a deal of such would involve a lot of framework. Plus, outfielders are a dime a dozen compared to shortstops, which are basically golden.
Say Goodbye to Josh Hamilton
Hamilton’s tenure is Texas has to be over for the Rangers to piece together a winner. Despite collapsing late in the season, his price tag is still going to be enormously high. Money isn’t necessarily a problem for Texas, but it surely isn’t something they can toss around like the Yankees do for example.
The prospects of letting Hamilton go is a massive step. Hamilton has accomplished a lot with the Rangers over the past few years, and it’s surprising to see him turn from good guy to bad guy in a snap.
But the most concerning part of Hamilton, is the fact that he tends to turn the switch on and off repeatedly throughout the season. That’s not the definition of a $20 million player. The market will assuredly jump on the chance of to sign Hamilton should the Rangers let him walk. But he’s not the 2010 MVP Hamilton.
