re: Texas Rangers official 2014 prediction thread

I loved their offseason moves. Kinsler's edge in WAR over Prince was almsot all due to positional adjustment, and the Rangers, had they kept Kins, would have had to move him to 1st to make room for Profar. It's a massive, massive upgrade going from Kinsler/Moreland to Profar/Fielder. Rios will have a full year in the outfield, and Choo is a massive upgrade as well.

Don't forget, Cruz still hasn't found a home and might sign a one-year deal to get some distance from the steroid stain. The offense improved a ton, and they didn't really take a hit defensively (yes, Prince is an awful 1B... that's why he's a 1B.. you stick your crappy defender there).

Pitching health is the big concern. But I like that they have a lot of young arms. They'll play mix and match, but Holland's injury is a killer.

I think they win the West.

AL West predicted order of finish:

1. Oakland
2. Texas
3. LA Angels
4. Seattle
5. Houston

I don't see Texas getting a wild-card spot. For them to do so several things must happen:

Choo has to show he can be effective against lefties
Fielder has to show he hasn't started the decline that all players face (it appears he may have lost a lot of weight so that should help)
Darvish has to beat Oakland (he's 1-6 lifetime with the one win coming in his first start against them back in 2012)
Profar has to show he can hit as an everyday player

World Series bitch!

I don't think they can go into this waiting for Holland to come back. I think you have to prepare for him to miss the season or possibly come back in September. I don't think Tommy Hanson is the temporary answer. Someone else will have to step up or they make another signing.

First off, love the "fade" comments.

Second, it's all going to hinge on pitching staff. Lineup will be much improved. Lewis and Harrison back, Perez, Ogando, and then the 5th spot is up for grabs. May be Hanson's to lose.

I'm not terribly optimistic about this season, but I think it will be a good one where the Rangers stay competitive. Getting Holland back will be a big boost to this club.

Baloo, when we gonna catch a game?

quote:

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But she's probably only gonna last a few innings before she bails. She doesn't have the attention span for this.

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Buy cherry coke at game.
Put vodka in coke.
Give to Mowgli.
Mowgli passes out.
Profit

quote:

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The lesson here, people, is that children ruin everything.

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Yankees got this as Tex, CC, and Jeter reach way back and all 3 play at their career levels while Tanaka pitches like Yu and Ellsbury mashes 35 home runs while playing in 155 games.

Will your playoff "birth" be natural or via the knife ?
i.e. difference between birth and berth ? lol , must be that great public education system !

I think Oakland falls behind both the Rangers and Angels this year. It's amazing how they're able to play so well with what the put on the field though. Much respect and kudos to them but they're not going to lead the pack in the West this year.