The 2021 Texas Rangers

[conman14]

I had a lot of fun trying a previous dynasty save with the Mariners, which unfortunately was cut short due to a catastrophic computer crash which corrupted everything. So I have decided to lick my wounds and come back to attempt another dynasty story. This time though, I will be trying it with the Mariners’ division rivals – the Texas Rangers.


Founded in 1961 as the Washington Senators before relocating in 1972 to Arlington, straddling Dallas and Fort Worth, the Rangers have been to the World Series twice at the start of the 2010s, losing both times to the Giants and the Cardinals respectively. Success has been hard to come by in recent years, as the division rival, and indeed state rival Houston Astros have become one of the best teams in the American League. Five years on from their last postseason appearance, and coming off the back of a 22-38 2020 season, the Rangers are ripe for a rebuilding project.


Unfortunately though, the current organization isn’t that good at any level, with a middling roster and very few prospects of note, so any rebuild will be tough. There are very few players who command any kind of value. Nevertheless, rookie manager Barry McCockiner will be looking to take the Rangers up from the bottom of the division to become contenders in the American League, and become a force in the long term.


I’ll be starting this save now, starting a couple of weeks or so before Opening Day, and will report back once I have completed by pre-season housekeeping.

[conman14]

Transactions

• Our first deal involves sending SP Mike Foltynewicz to the Dodgers for OF AJ Pollock plus prospects.
• He comes in to replace OF David Dahl, who we trade to the White Sox in exchange for SP Carlos Rodon and reliever Codi Heuer, as well as minor league 1B Jake Burger.
• IF Brock Holt is traded to the Yankees for 2B/3B Thairo Estrada.
• C Jonah Heim plus a minor league reliever are traded to the Indians for prospects. This opens the number 2 catcher spot for top prospect Sam Huff.
• We offload IFs Ronald Guzman, Charlie Culberson and Eli White to the Giants, getting former KBO player Darin Ruf, OF Vince Fernandez and SS Tyler Fitzgerald.

Opening Day Roster

We will start the season at Kansas City with the below 26-man roster:

SP - Kohei Arihara; Carlos Rodon; Kyle Gibson; Dane Dunning; Jordan Lyles
Bullpen - John King; Ian Kennedy; Matt Bush; Brett de Geus; John Sborz; Hyeong-jong Yang; Taylor Hearn; Codi Heuer
Catchers - Sam Huff; Jose Trevino
Infielders - Nate Lowe; Darin Ruf; Andy Ibanez; Rougned Odor; Nick Solak; Isiaih Kiner-Falefa; Anderson Tejeda
Outfielders - AJ Pollock; Leodys Taveres; Adolis Garcia; Joey Gallo

It's not exactly a talented roster, with our best players still flawed in some way. That said, there is still plenty to talk about with ones to watch, all of whom will line up in the outfield:

LF/RF Joey Gallo - outfielder who ESPN once described as the "king of the three true outcomes". If he makes contact at the plate, you can bet it'll go far. Only problem is he's coming off a sub-.200 season in 2020, and striking out A LOT. His defense is a saving grace, though we only have two more seasons of team control before he hits FA. If he blows up, he could be a trade candidate.

CF/RF Adolis Garcia - inexperienced at major league level with less than 100 days of service to date, but his minor league numbers were very strong, hitting over 30 home runs in 2019 at AAA.

LF AJ Pollock - picked up to boost production on offense, coming off a 16 homer season for the Dodgers as they won the World Series. His weak arm and $15 million salary are a concern, but at least $5 million will come off the books for 2022 if he picks up his player option.

Prospects
In terms of prospects, we don't have any Top 100 players on the eve of the season, though there are still a couple who I will be keeping an eye on:

C Sam Huff (#113), MLB - Huff, 23, made the jump from High-A straight to the Majors in 2020, where in 10 games he hit .355 and 3 home runs. He has plus power which will help in Globe Life, while his strong arm should help in defense.

SS Maximo Acosta (#114), R - 17 year old Venezuelan Acosta will move to Rookie ball this season, having signed as an International Amateur in 2019. Being so young means it's impossible to project how he will develop, but looks to have all the tools to be an everyday player in the future.

SP Cole Winn (#120), A+ - The only pitcher of note in this post, 2018 1st rounder Winn hurled for a 4.66 ERA in 2019 in A ball, before not playing at all in 2020 due to the pandemic. Has the potential to throw four pitches comfortably, though his movement is a concern.

Pre-season Predictions
We are predicted to go 74-88, good for 4th place in the AL West ahead of the Mariners. I think this is probably fair, and I will first and foremost be aiming to finish off the foot of the division. The Astros are predicted to top the division with 90 wins.

[conman14]

Game 1 - @ Royals

Rangers 5 - Sborz L (0-1)
Royals 9 - Staumont W (1-0)

Despite battling back from 2-0 in the second to 4-2 up in the third, courtesy of back-to-back home runs from Adolis Garcia and Joey Gallo, the bullpen implodes to gift the Royals an opening day win.

[conman14]

Transactions

Reliever Brett Martin returns from the IL to take Josh Sborz's spot in the bullpen - Sborz goes down to AAA Round Rock.

Game 2 - @ Royals (1-0)

Rangers 4 - Martin W (1-0)
Royals 3 - Hernandez L (0-1)

Despite losing starter Carlos Rodon after 1 out in the 2nd, and reliever Hyeon-jong Yang giving up 3 runs immediately after, the Rangers rally to level the series. 1B Nate Lowe scores a solo pinch hit homer in the top of the 8th to ultimately seal the game. We now wait on Rodon's diagnosis.

[conman14]

Game 3 - @ Royals (1-1)

Rangers 5 - Gibson W (1-0)
Royals 3 - Duffy L (0-1)

The Rangers run out to a 4-1 lead in the 4th courtesy of an Adolis Garcia double to clear the bases, a lead they would ultimately hold to the end. Starter Kyle Gibson strikes out 6 in 5.0 innings.

[conman14]

Game 4 - vs Blue Jays (2-1)

Blue Jays 8 - Phelps W (1-1), Dolis SV (1)
Rangers 6 - Martin L (1-1)
15 innings

Both starters give up 5 runs in the first 4 innings, with no more scores until the 15th inning, where Cavan Biggio drives in a run on a single, before scoring later on following an RBI sac-fly from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Jays closer Rafael Dolis did walk in a run in response, but Kiner-Falefa would ground into a double play to end a mammoth 6-hour marathon of baseball.

[conman14]

Game 5 - vs Blue Jays (3-1)

Blue Jays 10 - Roark W (1-0)
Rangers 5 - Lyles L (0-1)

Rangers starter Jordan Lyles gives up 5 ER in just 3.1 innings in what was a horrible game at home to the Blue Jays. Jays outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr goes 3-5, including a grand slam in the top of the 5th.

Around the League
Lucas Giolito throws a perfect game for the White Sox away to the Mariners, striking out 14 along the way

[conman14]

Transactions

Carlos Rodon's diagnosis comes back at a stretched elbow ligament, meaning he will miss the rest of the season. He will go to the 60-day IL, with his spot on the roster being taken by Kolby Allard, promoted from AAA Round Rock. He will take a long relief spot for the time being, with Hyeon-jong Yang taking Rodon's spot in the starting rotation.

Game 6 - vs Blue Jays (4-1)
Blue Jays 8 - Ryu W (1-0)
Rangers 3 - Arihara L (0-1)

The Rangers choke away a 2-1 lead in the 7th to lose 8-3 and complete the Blue Jays' sweep. Kolby Allard's first MLB appearance sees him give up 5 ER without getting an out in the 7th, including a 3-run homer from Teoscar Hernandez, his 4th in 6 games.

[conman14]

Game 7 - vs Padres (4-3)

Padres 1 - Snell L (1-1)
Rangers 6 - Gibson W (2-0)

Padres starter Blake Snell gives up 5 runs in just 3.0 innings, including a first Rangers home run for Darin Ruf. Nick Solak also scores his first homer of 2021, while Adolis Garcia adds a second to his home run tally. Rangers starter Kyle Gibson gives up just 1 ER in 5.1 innings, while reliever Koly Allard steadies his ship with 2.1 scoreless innings to close out the game.

[conman14]

Game 8 - vs Padres (4-4)

Padres 9 - Crismatt W (1-0), Melancon H (4), Pomeranz SV (3)
Rangers 5 - Dunning L (0-1)

Rangers starter Dane Dunning gives up 6 ERs in just 4.0 innings and walks 4 and the Padres level the series. Fernando Tatis Jr, Manny Machado and Wil Myers all go yard for the Padres, as the Rangers fall to 3-5.

[conman14]

Transactions

DH/OF Khris Davis comes off the IL to join up with the Active Roster - he takes the spot of Anderson Tejeda, who goes down to AAA Round Rock.

Game 9 - Padres (5-4)

Padres 3 - Johnson H (1), Kela H (2), Pomeranz BS (1), Morejon L (1-1)
Rangers 4 - Bush W (1-0)

The Rangers rally from 3-1 down in the bottom of the 9th to secure the series win against the Padres. Khris Davis marks his return to the roster with a 2-4 day with 3 RBIs, including a 2-run home run to level the game in the 9th, before Sam Huff walks off the Padres with an RBI double on Adrian Morejon, who had been brought in to try to force extras.

[conman14]

Game 10 - @ Rays (5-4)


Rangers 13 - Lyles W (1-1)
Rays 1 - Hill L (0-1)

The Rangers rack up 18 hits in an impressive performance against the reigning AL champion Rays, including a 2-5 day for Leodys Taveres, hitting a single and a home run and bringing home 4 runners, also being walked once. Utility man Nick Solak also has a big day at the plate, going 3-6 including a bases-clearing double in the 8th.

[conman14]

Game 11 - @ Rays (5-5)


Rangers 3 - Arihara L (0-2)
Rays 4 - Glasnow W (1-0), Castillo SV (4)

The Rangers rally ultimately runs out of time as they fail to overcome a 4-0 deficit in the 3rd, off the back of two 2-run homers given up by starter Kohei Arihara. Sam Huff continues his solid offensive start with a 2-run home run in the 7th to kickstart the rally, and despite another homer from Khris Davis in the 9th, Diego Castillo secures the save.

[conman14]

Game 12 - @ Rays (6-5)

Rangers 3 - Gibson W (3-0), De Geus H (1), Hearn H (3), Heuer SV (3)
Rays 1 - Archer L (2-1)

The Rangers grind out victory in a tight matchup, including a 2-RBI day for Joey Gallo. Gallo has continued his form from 2020 hitting sub-.200, and we'll be looking for him to settle above that line going forward. Rangers starter Kyle Gibson continues his solid start to the season, striking out 6 and being awarded the win. His ERA after 3 starts is 1.72.

Around the League

• The big news from the AL West is the loss of Shohei Ohtani for the Angels - he will miss the rest of the season with shoulder inflammation.

[conman14]

Game 13 - @ Rays (6-6)

Rangers 6 - King L (0-1)
Rays 7 - McGee W (1-0) BS (1), Castillo SV (5)

The Rangers just lose out in a tightly contested affair in Tropicana, with starter Dane Dunning giving up 5 runs in less than 3 innings before being pulled. Despite this, the Rangers continued to rally, including a 3-run homer in the 7th from Leodys Taveres. Taveres would normally be playing for his defense, but has started the season hitting .309 and leading the team in RBIs (12).

[conman14]

Game 14 - vs Orioles (6-7)

Orioles 9 - Scott L (0-2) BS (1)
Rangers 10 - Heuer W (1-0), Bush BS (1)

This was not a game for the defenses, as both teams racked up double digit hits and rattled each other's bullpens. The Rangers ran out to an 8-3 lead in the 5th, before the bullpen imploded to allow the Orioles to take a 9-8 lead into the bottom of the 9th. After Orioles reliever Tanner Scott gave up a bases loaded walk to Nate Lowe, it was Andy Ibanez who walked off the Orioles with an RBI single next time up.

[conman14]

Game 15 - vs Orioles (6-8)

Orioles 1 - Plutko L (1-2)
Rangers 3 - Lyles W (2-1), Martin H (2), Heuer SV (4)

A somewhat calmer affair as the Rangers grind out another win against the Orioles. A fruitful 6th inning secured the win for the Rangers, with RBI singles from Khris Davis and Andy Ibanez adding to an RBI single in the 2nd from Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Davis has become somewhat of a contact hitter in his 7 games since returning from injury, hitting .345 and going yard 4 times. On the mound, Jordan Lyles strikes out 7 in 6 innings, while closer Codi Heuer continues his strong start to his Ranger career, currently sitting on a 0.00 ERA in 6.2 innings.

[conman14]

Game 16 - vs Orioles (6-9)

Orioles 3 - Tate W (1-0), Ramos H (2), Scott SV (3)
Rangers 2 - Arihara L (0-3)

The Rangers fail to complete the sweep, but still manage to win the series against the Orioles. The Orioles score 3 runs in the first two innings, though the Rangers again rallied late on. We ultimately ran out of outs, as Sam Huff was tagged out at home after trying to score on a flyout from Leodys Taveres. Meanwhile Kohei Arihara, despite being consigned to a third defeat as a starter, still managed to strike out 8 in just over 6 innings, while the bullpen held strong as the Rangers offense mounted a comeback.

[conman14]

Game 17 - @ Angels (8-8)

Rangers 3 - Gibson L (3-1)
Angels 4 - Canning W (1-0), Watson H (1), Iglesias SV (4)

Our first divisional matchup sees us drop a game to the Angels, as we drop a 2-0 lead in the 4th to lose out in another tight game. One positive of the game was a multi-hit game for Joey Gallo, taking his AVG above .200 - if we could just get that pop back and add to his 2 home runs, that would be fantastic...

[conman14]

Game 18 - @ Angels (9-8)

Rangers 6 - Heuer W (2-0), Allard SV (1)
Angels 5 - Sandoval H (1), Mayers BS (1), Cishek L (0-1)
11 innings

The Rangers tie up the series in a topsy-turvy game that sees the lead change several times, before Nate Lowe ties up the game at 5-5 in the 8th with a 2-run home run to ultimately send the game to extras - his team-leading 5th homer of the year. A scoreless 10th is followed up by catcher Sam Huff hitting an RBI-single to take the lead, a lead which the Rangers would secure with a combination of Codi Heuer and Kolby Allard in the 11th.


Transactions

• We claim reliever Keone Kela from the Padres, who makes a return to the Rangers after being traded by the team in 2018 to the Pirates. Kela is rocking a 2.95 ERA in 7.0 IP, striking out nearly 12 batters per 9 IP. If he can bring his BB/9 down from its current 3.9, his power could be very useful in the bullpen. We will complete the Angels series, and find a spot for him on the off day afterwards.