Prince Fielder could have a monster year in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
2. Texas Rangers
Last year:91-72, second place
Projected finish:Second place
What’s New:C.J.P. Arencibia(Toronto), OFMichael Choice(Oakland), OFShin-Soo Choo(Cincinnati), 1BPrince Fielder(Detroit), INFDonnie Murphy(Cubs), LHP Joe Saunders (Seattle).
Who’s Gone:UTJeff Baker(Miami), OFNelson Cruz(Baltimore), RHPMatt Garza(Milwaukee), OFCraig Gentry(Oakland), 2BIan Kinsler(Detroit), OFDavid Murphy(Cleveland), RHPJoe Nathan(Detroit), CA.J. Pierzynski(Boston).
Who’s Down:LHP Joseph Ortiz (60-day DL, fractured left foot), LHPDerek Holland(60-day DL, recovering from knee surgery), RFEngel Beltre(60-day DL, fractured right tibia), CGeovany Soto(60-day DL, recovering from knee surgery), 2BJurickson Profar(15-day DL, torn muscle in right shoulder), LHPMatt Harrison(15-day DL, recovering from back surgery), RHPYu Darvish(15-day DL, neck stiffness).
Outlook:The Rangers had one of the worst springs imaginable and the organization’s depth will be tested after losing Geovany Soto until at least June, Jurickson Profar until at least the All-Star break and waiting for starters Derek Holland (maybe midseason), Matt Harrison (maybe April) and Yu Darvish (maybe April) to come back. Still, this is a team that finished in the wild-card mosh pit in the AL last year before losing a one-game tiebreaker to the Rays and Prince Fielder looks primed for a huge year.
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