August 07, 2015
Why would the Rangers trade Nick Williams?
Nick Williams, the toolsy and athletic outfielder who had gone from high-ceiling, all-potential prospect to impact prospect in 2015, was the headliner of the deal that brought Cole Hamels to Texas for the next four years. Williams hasn't slowed down in the Philadelphia system, but neither has his replacement at Frisco: Lewis Brinson. Brinson is a top talent Centerfield prospect with a lesser hit tool than Williams but more speed, better defense and more power. Big guy, long legs. He's hit consistently since his promotion to AA this week, and displayed his plus power last night:
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August 01, 2015
An exciting time to be a Texas Ranger...
The Texas Rangers have had exactly the kind of season most people predicted: they're fighting to maintain a record around .500, with a stronger tendency to stay a few games under than over. This will leave the Rangers with a win total in the high seventies at best, with a goal of reaching 82 wins just to have a winning record for the season. Bizarrely, Texas has had a good, but not great offense, and a starting rotation that has out-performed expectations to be largely mediocre. The bullpen, meanwhile, is expected to give up approximately two runs per game.
So with 60 games left in the season and a record of 50 - 52, why is it exciting to be a fan of the Texas Rangers?
Texas just traded for one of the best pitchers in baseball, which is primarily a move for 2016 and beyond but certainly helps this year. Adrian Beltre has finally started to come to life in the summer heat. Elvis Andrus is suddenly a hitting machine. One of the Rangers premier lefty starters is back from TJ surgery, although it looks like Martin Perez is going to take a while to get back into form. Derek Holland is due back by the end of the month. Colby Lewis has been sliding back up into #2 or #3 starter form instead of pitching depth form. Manager Jon Daniels just traded for two excellent power-pitching bullpen arms, a lefty and righty. One of them got five straight outs in his debut. And Rougned odor is showing everyone why Texas wasn't too concerned about trading off Ian Kinsler.
And finally, sitting four games out of a wild card slot, the Rangers are about to go on a run, both at home and away, of playing all of the teams between them and the Wild Card. With the team seemingly on the rise, a winning record over the next few weeks turns the Texas Rangers into a legitimate playoff contender, rather than a likely spoiler.
Considering the Rangers have handled L.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.L.A.A.C.A. poorly this year, and have apparently mostly had good luck against Houston, Texas is likely fixing the second Wild Card spot as their target...either Houston or L.A.etc. will win the division, and either Houston or L.A.etc. will take the first A.L. Wild Card. Texas at this point must be pulling for L.A.etc. to win, because they have a much better chance of beating Houston in the play-in Wild Card game. Let L.A.etc. lose to someone else while Texas leverages their "winningest road team in baseball" prowess to make it through the Division Series.
Why is it exciting to be a Texas Ranger? Because looking forward this 50 - 52 team has a straight shot at another pennant.
Believe it or not.
Texas just traded for one of the best pitchers in baseball, which is primarily a move for 2016 and beyond but certainly helps this year. Adrian Beltre has finally started to come to life in the summer heat. Elvis Andrus is suddenly a hitting machine. One of the Rangers premier lefty starters is back from TJ surgery, although it looks like Martin Perez is going to take a while to get back into form. Derek Holland is due back by the end of the month. Colby Lewis has been sliding back up into #2 or #3 starter form instead of pitching depth form. Manager Jon Daniels just traded for two excellent power-pitching bullpen arms, a lefty and righty. One of them got five straight outs in his debut. And Rougned odor is showing everyone why Texas wasn't too concerned about trading off Ian Kinsler.
And finally, sitting four games out of a wild card slot, the Rangers are about to go on a run, both at home and away, of playing all of the teams between them and the Wild Card. With the team seemingly on the rise, a winning record over the next few weeks turns the Texas Rangers into a legitimate playoff contender, rather than a likely spoiler.
Considering the Rangers have handled L.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.L.A.A.C.A. poorly this year, and have apparently mostly had good luck against Houston, Texas is likely fixing the second Wild Card spot as their target...either Houston or L.A.etc. will win the division, and either Houston or L.A.etc. will take the first A.L. Wild Card. Texas at this point must be pulling for L.A.etc. to win, because they have a much better chance of beating Houston in the play-in Wild Card game. Let L.A.etc. lose to someone else while Texas leverages their "winningest road team in baseball" prowess to make it through the Division Series.
Why is it exciting to be a Texas Ranger? Because looking forward this 50 - 52 team has a straight shot at another pennant.
Believe it or not.
Posted by: Ben at
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