Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy: ‘We plan on contending’
On the day before the Texas Rangers’ first spring training workout, new manager Bruce Bochy proclaimed that his team is ready to contend for the American League Western Division title.
That’s quite the statement from a manager who’s won more than 2,000 games over 25 seasons, including three World Series titles with the San Francisco Giants.
And it’s quite a statement based on the Rangers’ recent track record: a franchise-high six straight losing seasons, including last season’s 68-94 fourth-place finish in the American League Western Division.
“The clubhouse is full of optimism with all of the moves made this winter,” said Bochy, who was named the Rangers’ manager in October. “We are a much better ballclub ... this team feels it., know it and they are excited about it. Personally, I am too. It’s going to be a lot of fun to manage.”
“This is a team that should expect to raise the bar, show a lot of improvement,” Bochy said. “A team that can play with anybody and we plan on contending.”
The main reason the Rangers are optimistic is because of the signing of free agent pitchers Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovoldi and Andrew Heaney. Those three join Martin Perez to give the Rangers one of the top pitching rotations in the American League.
Executive vice president and general manager Chris Young agreed.
“We are very optimistic, we’ve had a very good offseason,” Young said. “The roster is much improved ... We have the right group to go out and compete for a playoff spot.”
The two Rangers leaders answered a few questions during a media session at the Rangers’ spring training home in Suprise, Ariz.
Bochy said he expects to be involved in a lot of close games.
“If you look how we are built now, when we face a lot of good pitching, we are going to have to do the little things to win ball games,” Bochy said.
The Rangers pitchers and catchers begin workouts on Wednesday; the full roster workouts begin on Monday. The Rangers play their first preseason game on March 24 against Kansas City.
The Rangers open their regular season on March 30 vs. the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Field.