After one of the biggest collapses in MLB history, the Texas Rangers have a lot of question marks going into the offseason
By Azor Cole
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| (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) |
The Texas Rangers' season flew away as Nate
McLouth hauled in David Murphy’s lazy fly ball, putting an exclamation mark one
of baseball’s most historic collapses.
The Rangers lead the AL West for 156 games. They looked
unbeatable at times, powered by their lethal offense that scored 808 runs, the most in baseball.
With a comfortable lead atop the division all season, the
Rangers seemed poised to make another deep playoff run, atoning for last years
sour finish to the hands David Freese and the St. Louis Cardinals. Even as the
surprising Oakland Athletics stayed hot, there was no way the Rangers could
possibly lose the division, right? Wrong.
Losing seven of their last nine (including five to the A’s), the Rangers did just that: give away the division. Up 5-1 in the season finale to
the A’s, it seemed as if the Rangers might finally put the season to rest and
wrap up the AL West for the third straight year. Their struggles down
the stretch might only be an afterthought. The A’s won 12-5. Seemingly
uninspired, Texas then lost 5-1 to the Orioles in the AL Wildcard Playoff Game to cap of a
disappointing season.
The Rangers now find themselves in a difficult place heading
into the offseason. It will take a lot to re-sign offensive weapons Josh
Hamilton and Mike Napoli, both of whom are free agents. Looking even farther
ahead, Michael Young, Scott Feldman, Nelson Cruz, and David Murphy each only
have 1 year left on their current contracts.
Re-signing Hamilton in particular, who started the season on
such a torrid pace, will be the main decision this offseason. However, Hamilton did
himself no favors down the stretch. Seemingly incapable of taking a pitch,
opposing pitchers pounded sliders down and in relentlessly, as Hamilton chasing
and coming up empty became a familiar sight for all Rangers fans. Compounded by
his lackluster defense, Hamilton’s fan support dwindled.
The fans went as far as to boo their star player loudly in
the season finale, where he went 0-4 with two strikeouts. He only saw eight pitches.
“You hate for that to happen
in maybe your last game here," said Hamilton after the game. "If anyone will not welcome or listen to you in
your home town, leave that town and shake the dust off your feet.”
Hamilton’s reputation for off the field issues will surely
play a role in how much the Rangers are willing to offer their star. Hamilton
will be a hot ticket item come this offseason and will likely be able to get more
money if he leaves. It will be a question of if he is willing to leave the
Texas Rangers, who have done their best to create a steady support system for
their high-maintenance player.
With or without Hamilton, the Rangers still have the pieces
to remain competitive in the fast improving AL west. The Athletics have proven
that they are legit and with all their young talent, the sky is the limit for
the coming years. The Mariners, the cellar of the division, improved 8 games
from last year and will stick around with a stellar pitching staff. The Angels
struck gold with Mike Trout and coupled with Pujols, may be the favorites to
win the division next year. The Houston Astros will be a new addition but do
not provide much of an immediate threat.
Regardless, the Rangers have been eliminated from the
playoffs. Even with the agony of losing in the World Series the last two
seasons, the way this season ended may sting the most.
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