Opening Day 2014: Previewing The American League West
By Phil Watson
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), OF Michael Choice (Oakland), OF Shin-Soo Choo (Cincinnati), 1B Prince Fielder (Detroit), INF Donnie Murphy (Cubs), LHP Joe Saunders (Seattle).
Who’s Gone: UT Jeff Baker (Miami), OF Nelson Cruz (Baltimore), RHP Matt Garza (Milwaukee), OF Craig Gentry (Oakland), 2B Ian Kinsler (Detroit), OF David Murphy (Cleveland), RHP Joe Nathan (Detroit), C A.J. Pierzynski (Boston).
Who’s Down: LHP Joseph Ortiz (60-day DL, fractured left foot), LHP Derek Holland (60-day DL, recovering from knee surgery), RF Engel Beltre (60-day DL, fractured right tibia), C Geovany Soto (60-day DL, recovering from knee surgery), 2B Jurickson Profar (15-day DL, torn muscle in right shoulder), LHP Matt Harrison (15-day DL, recovering from back surgery), RHP Yu 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.