This is the biggest change to the Texas Rangers since the end of last season
The last time this many Texas Rangers players were together was Sept. 29, when their 2019 season ended with a 6-1 victory over the New York Yankees in the final game played at Globe Life Park.
It was a feel-good day at the end of another losing season, though one that presented some hope while simultaneously presenting questions for the next season.
Who will be back? Who will the Rangers sign or acquire? Are the Rangers still another season away from contending or did the 78-84 campaign convince the front office to step on the gas pedal?
Of all that has changed since that fall Sunday — from Globe Life Field nearing completion to the trade of Nomar Mazara to Joey Gallo declaring himself healthy — the most notable change is that the Rangers aren’t rebuilding anymore.
Start with the overhaul of the starting rotation, first and foremost with the trade for two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. The Rangers didn’t get their man at third base, but that they tried is another indication of their intentions for 2020.
The incumbents, like Gallo and Willie Calhoun, have taken note of what general manager Jon Daniels has put together. The Rangers expect to be contenders, and unlike a year ago, isn’t not just lip service.
“What JD and the front office has done, they’ve put us in position to win, and that’s what we all want to do,” Calhoun said. “That’s what we say in every meeting, that this year we want to turn things around. I know we’re all hungry to win now, and that’s all we’ve been preaching since the off-season began.”
Part of the Rangers’ plan for 2020 is for returning players, like Calhoun, Elvis Andrus and Rougned Odor, to improve. They need Gallo and others to remain healthy.
It isn’t a necessity that Mike Minor and Lance Lynn duplicate their 2019 seasons on the mound, or that Kluber be as good as he has been in the past. Fellow newcomers Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles don’t have to be world-beaters.
They are already an upgrade, and the rotation has a whole looks to be one of baseball’s best. That includes what the Rangers will have at Triple A Nashville to fill in if/when a rotation regular hits the injured list or needs to be skipped in the rotation.
Left-handers Kolby Allard, Joe Palumbo and Brock Burke are the first line of rotation depth.
“That’s one of the things I’ve stressed to them: To be ready, to make sure they’re going to expect to make an impact on our big-league team,” manager Chris Woodward said.
The three starters haven’t been the only additions. The Rangers signed catcher Robinson Chirinos and third baseman Todd Frazier last week, and, Woodward said, more additions could be coming even though spring training is only three weeks away.
That’s just how off-seasons have evolved across baseball.
The Rangers’ mindset has evolved, from building for the future to contending now.
That has been the biggest change since last season ended.
“I’m excited that we’re taking the steps that, hey, we’re going to put our best lineup out there and we’re going to try to sign the best guys and win games,” Gallo said. “Let’s try to compete and see what happens.
“When you go out and get guys like Kluber, and you’re signing Chirinos and Frazier and Gibson and Lyles, those are really good players. You’re not signing those guys just to be mediocre. You’re signing them to be a playoff team.”
This story was originally published January 21, 2020 at 5:04 PM.
