Call to the pen
Fansided

2019 MLB season: American League West preview

By David Hill

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 04: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros reacts to a call during the spring training game against the New York Mets at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 4, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 04: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros reacts to a call during the spring training game against the New York Mets at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 4, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

5. Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers have taken a lot of fliers heading into the 2019 MLB season. If this was 2015, those moves would be far more interesting.

To be fair, the Rangers did address the problems with their rotation. Lance Lynn was brought in on a three year contract, as he and Mike Minor will front the rotation. Beyond that, Texas is hoping that fliers Edinson Volquez, Drew Smyly, and Shelby Miller can stay healthy and show that they have something in the tank. If so, then all three become potential trade chips at the deadline.

The bullpen and lineup should be solid, especially if the struggles from last year are overcome. Players like Rougned Odor, Elvis Andrus, and Nomar Maraza have plenty of potential, but struggled in 2018. Asdrubal Cabrera has taken over third from the retired Adrian Beltre, with the hope that he can provide enough offense at the hot corner. As a whole, the offense did not perform last year for Texas, with Shin-Soo Choo’s 112 OPS+ the highest on the team.

Essentially, for the Rangers to contend, they need to hope that the team can find a time capsule and can bring back the 2015 versions of their roster. A return to form from the offense, and health for the rotation, could lead to a decent enough showing. But that is a lot for the Rangers to hope for.

The Texas Rangers are slowly starting their rebuild. If these one year fliers for the rotation pan out, that rebuild could get a decent jumpstart.

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