A mild winter in North Texas has produced countless times in the last couple of months that I have stepped outside and thought, “let’s play two.” Same for you? I am not surprised. Winning a World Series title can, and has, changed the collective mindset of a fan base. Never have I spent an off-season talking so much baseball with fans on the street. It has been great for a guy who loves to talk about all sports, but I have always said that baseball is my first love.
All of which begs the question: What’s next? It is a good question and much less complicated to answer than in most off-seasons past. The short answer is, next up is a team that competes for an AL West Division title all season and makes a long playoff run. There are so many reasons to expect this to be true.
First and foremost is the Rangers line-up. This is by far the strength of the team. There is a Gold Glove, All-Star catcher behind the plate. There are past, present and future Gold Glovers around the horn. Nathaniel Lowe won the award at first base last year. Second baseman Marcus Semien won one in 2021. And two-time World Series MVP Corey Seager will win one soon. Between them those three infielders have also won six Silver Slugger awards, so there is no drop off at the plate. Finally, there is Josh Jung who was an All Star last year which was his first full year in the majors. His future off-seasons are sure to be filled with silver and gold.
The outfield is anchored by right fielder Adolis Garcia who won the Gold Glove last season. He avoided arbitration with the Rangers this season and signed a two year deal. It came down to the wire but, wisely, the Rangers made him an offer he could not refuse. He brings joy to the entire clubhouse with his boyish enthusiasm and love for the game. The first time my broadcast partner Mark McLemore saw Leody Taveras was in 2020 when we watched most games in an empty stadium. Mac said then, “I want this guy to be the center fielder here for a long time.” Mark has gotten his wish. Leody had a breakout season in 2023 and will be part of the Rangers strength up the middle for years to come. Evan Carter burst onto the scene last year and made it known that he is not just a September call-up, he is here to stay. The Rangers top prospect proved why he had earned that distinction. Oh and this year’s top prospect, Wyatt Langford, could be a part of an outfield rotation. What a job the Rangers front office has done in recent years drafting players who can contribute so much so soon. Guys like Jung, Carter and Langford to name a few.
Speaking of the front office, if Chris Young has said this once he has said it a thousand times, “you can never have enough pitching.” Never was that more true than last off-season. Heading into the 2023 season the Rangers acquired Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney and Jake Odorizzi. It really seemed like enough but as the All Star break approached, it wasn’t, so they traded for Aroldis Chapman. Then at the trade deadline they got three more, Max Scherzer, Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton. Turns out that was enough!
When deGrom and Scherzer recover from surgeries this year, the Rangers rotation could be among the best in baseball. Until then it could be a concern. Fear not, Chris Young knows this too and he will do all that he can to ensure that there is “enough pitching.”
He strengthened the bullpen by signing veterans David Robertson and Kirby Yates, thus giving the Rangers as many as five options in the pen with closing experience. Like CY always says, we need more pitching, but then so does every other team in baseball.
As the season approaches there won’t be very many opportunities to “play two.” Especially not at home where there will never be a rain out. But there is an opportunity to “win two.” That is two World Series in a row. If they do that the Texas Rangers will be the first team to repeat as Champs since the New York Yankees won three in ’98, ’99 and 2000. Do I hear three in a row … well, let’s get two first.
Sports columnist John Rhadigan is an anchor for the Bally Sports Southwest television network.