Post by Strategist on Jan 10, 2020 17:51:17 GMT
2018 Review:
Record: 99-63 1st in NL West. 2nd (AL) in runs scored. 3rd (AL) in runs allowed. Defeated CHW in Division series 3-2. Lost in ALCS to TOR 4-1.
Starting the Offseason:
Lineup: A lineup that finished 2nd and had everyone but C Matt Wieters under contract for 2019. Built around RF Bryce Harper, LF Joc Pederson, DH Eric Thames and 1B Max Muncy. Also had elite defensive players in SS Andrelton Simmons, and CF Ender Inciarte. Solid 2B in Cesar hernandez. Would make a trade for Wilson Ramos to fill in the hole at catcher. Overall Texas may have had the best lineup 1-9 in the league coming into the season.
Rotation: The rotation may not have been as good as the lineup but it was still very good with 4 above average starters in Jose Quintana, Jon Lester, Yonny Chirinos, and Alex Wood. Matt Shoemaker filled in the 5th spot and while he might have been below average the rotation as a hole had to have been top 10 coming into the season.
Bullpen: Good solid above average bullpen lead by bullpen ace Will Harris. Did sign Jake Diekman and claimed Pat Neshek off of waviers to give it even more depth. Bullpen should be good enough to compliment the lineup and rotation.
Season:
The Rangers came out blistering hot going 40-16 the first 2 months of the season. 2nd in almost every hitting category and 1st in most pitching categories. Had the best run differential in the AL by a wide margin. Would eventually cool down a bit going 13-15 in June which was there only losing month. Didn't make any moves in season but didn't really have any weaknesses that would make it a necessity. Finished the last 3 months of the season 43-35 for an overall record 96-66 1st in the NL West again and 2nd in the AL with 2nd best run differential.
In conclusion:
Lineup: 2nd (AL) runs scored. Led by MVP favorite Harper who hit .275/.425/.620 56 HRs, 149 RBIs, 131 Rs and 176 OPS+ (Bold is league lead). Inciarte, Pederson, Ramos, and Inciearte were all exceptional as well. Only Thames struggled hitting .192 but did hit 34 HRs. Overall a great lineup.
Rotation: 5th (AL) in starters ERA. Lester turned back the clock a bit going 17-5 3.25 ERA in 32 GS. Everyone else was solid but not great. Solid rotation overall.
Bullpen: 5th (AL) in bullpen ERA. Harris was elite. In 62 GP went 2-4 with league leading 38 saves and a 2.40 ERA. Every one else was solid from top to bottom.
Great all around team. Not much else to say.
Future:
Salary Cap: Should have 20-30 mil in cap space to make adjustments for next season.
Needs: Ramos is a FA but has Will Smith to come in and fill that at min salary. Will Harris their only elite bullpen arm is a FA so there will be a need to find that back end closer. It wouldn't hurt to find an upgrade at the 5th spot in the rotation.
Overall: Immediate future is bright for this team should be able to contend for championships at least the next 2 years.
Trades Overview:
SS Thairo Estrada to ARI for C Wilson Ramos - Traded a mid tier prospect to get a rental to fill their catcher position. Ramos hit .277/.323/.539 31 HRs 97 RBIs and a 126 OPS+. Ramos was one of the best catchers in the AL and the trade worked out well for the Rangers.
FA Overview:
Jake Diekman 2 yr 14 Mil - 2-1 4.42 ERA 73 Ks in 57 GP. Struggled a bit but was usable. Pitched well IRL so will be another solid left handed arm out of the bullpen next year at a solid price. C+
Overall: C+
Only 1 signing and it worked out ok.
Record: 99-63 1st in NL West. 2nd (AL) in runs scored. 3rd (AL) in runs allowed. Defeated CHW in Division series 3-2. Lost in ALCS to TOR 4-1.
Starting the Offseason:
Lineup: A lineup that finished 2nd and had everyone but C Matt Wieters under contract for 2019. Built around RF Bryce Harper, LF Joc Pederson, DH Eric Thames and 1B Max Muncy. Also had elite defensive players in SS Andrelton Simmons, and CF Ender Inciarte. Solid 2B in Cesar hernandez. Would make a trade for Wilson Ramos to fill in the hole at catcher. Overall Texas may have had the best lineup 1-9 in the league coming into the season.
Rotation: The rotation may not have been as good as the lineup but it was still very good with 4 above average starters in Jose Quintana, Jon Lester, Yonny Chirinos, and Alex Wood. Matt Shoemaker filled in the 5th spot and while he might have been below average the rotation as a hole had to have been top 10 coming into the season.
Bullpen: Good solid above average bullpen lead by bullpen ace Will Harris. Did sign Jake Diekman and claimed Pat Neshek off of waviers to give it even more depth. Bullpen should be good enough to compliment the lineup and rotation.
Season:
The Rangers came out blistering hot going 40-16 the first 2 months of the season. 2nd in almost every hitting category and 1st in most pitching categories. Had the best run differential in the AL by a wide margin. Would eventually cool down a bit going 13-15 in June which was there only losing month. Didn't make any moves in season but didn't really have any weaknesses that would make it a necessity. Finished the last 3 months of the season 43-35 for an overall record 96-66 1st in the NL West again and 2nd in the AL with 2nd best run differential.
In conclusion:
Lineup: 2nd (AL) runs scored. Led by MVP favorite Harper who hit .275/.425/.620 56 HRs, 149 RBIs, 131 Rs and 176 OPS+ (Bold is league lead). Inciarte, Pederson, Ramos, and Inciearte were all exceptional as well. Only Thames struggled hitting .192 but did hit 34 HRs. Overall a great lineup.
Rotation: 5th (AL) in starters ERA. Lester turned back the clock a bit going 17-5 3.25 ERA in 32 GS. Everyone else was solid but not great. Solid rotation overall.
Bullpen: 5th (AL) in bullpen ERA. Harris was elite. In 62 GP went 2-4 with league leading 38 saves and a 2.40 ERA. Every one else was solid from top to bottom.
Great all around team. Not much else to say.
Future:
Salary Cap: Should have 20-30 mil in cap space to make adjustments for next season.
Needs: Ramos is a FA but has Will Smith to come in and fill that at min salary. Will Harris their only elite bullpen arm is a FA so there will be a need to find that back end closer. It wouldn't hurt to find an upgrade at the 5th spot in the rotation.
Overall: Immediate future is bright for this team should be able to contend for championships at least the next 2 years.
Trades Overview:
SS Thairo Estrada to ARI for C Wilson Ramos - Traded a mid tier prospect to get a rental to fill their catcher position. Ramos hit .277/.323/.539 31 HRs 97 RBIs and a 126 OPS+. Ramos was one of the best catchers in the AL and the trade worked out well for the Rangers.
FA Overview:
Jake Diekman 2 yr 14 Mil - 2-1 4.42 ERA 73 Ks in 57 GP. Struggled a bit but was usable. Pitched well IRL so will be another solid left handed arm out of the bullpen next year at a solid price. C+
Overall: C+
Only 1 signing and it worked out ok.