2014 Recap:
Pretty sure nobody saw this type of season coming. They set a new major league record for players used in a season, but that doesn't account for all their problems this past season. Their lack of depth in the rotation was exposed, and I wondered if it would be. But they also know they can't count on Matt Harrison or Alexei Ogando to be there anymore. The only good thing that came out of this year pitching wise is that Neftali Feliz actually looked pretty good in the closer role at the end of the year when healthy. The best case scenario is that Yu Darvish, Martin Perez and Derek Holland come back healthy next season and then Nick Tepesch, who had his moments this season, fills in as a suitable #4, and that finally Nick Martinez and Miles Mikolas, who both struggled most of the season, will have learned and be more prepared in 2015, because they did not belong in the majors this season. That doesn't mean they won't become Major League caliber starters, but they were thrown into the fire too early.
This writer still think if Prince Fielder comes back healthy he could be a really good player in that park, and hopefully Shin-Soo Choo will be fully healthy next year and able to compete at a high level again. He was hampered by an injury all this season and just never got on track. They needed a leadoff hitter in the worst way, and though they may have overpaid Choo he still could be the guy for the role. Remarkably, they were in the top 10 in hitting (batting average) this season but they were 17th in runs scored, they just had no power (which is odd considering they have had a ton of it over the last decade). But are they a potential championship team? Not unless their young arms grow up in a big way between now and next season.
Their costless agent group is not overly impressive. Scott Baker is nothing more than a spot starter, Neal Cotts is an alright reliever and does not need to be kept, Colby Lewis is getting up there in years and is coming off injury, I say keep him on a cheap contract though. Alex Rios is the real tough call. He has been a productive player since they picked him up, but I think some team will overpay the 33 year old outfielder. The Rangers really aren't in position to make a big move with Fielder's contract still on the books. They will be hard pressed to get rid of that contract even if they wanted to, but still unloading Fielder now would be way too hasty.
They have Fielder, Adrian Beltre, Choo, Darvish, Matt Harrison, Elvis Andrus, Derek Holland, Leonys Martin and Martin Perez on the books for 2015.
They have a few players eligible for arbitration: Neftali Feliz, Mitch Moreland, Alexei Ogando, Kevin Kouzmanoff, J.P. Arencibia and Adam Rosales.
The team needs to settle on a closer. Feliz will get the chance to have the role, but Tanner Scheppers should get a chance as well. He was the opening day starter this past season, but he isn't a starting pitcher and I think most fans knew it. He struggled mightily as a starter before getting injured.
Projected lineup (pre-costless agency):
C- Robinson Chirinos
1B- Prince Fielder
2B- Roughned Odor
SS- Elvis Andrus
3B- Adrian Beltre
LF- Jim Adduci
CF- Leonys Martin
RF- Shin Soo-Choo
DH- Michael Choice
Bench- Jake Smolski, Ryan Rua, Luis Sardinas
Rotation:
1- Yu Darvish
2- Derek Holland
3- Colby Lewis
4- (Martin Perez at midseason)/Nick Tepesch
5- Nick Martinez (through midseason, if Lewis returns and Perez comes back healthy; expect to move Tepesch down to 5th)
2015 Outlook:
Optimistic. They'll be in the mix next season, but this is one of the toughest divisions in baseball. The Angels won 98 games and will get Garrett Richards back, Oakland has been solid over the last three seasons, Seattle has finally become a contender again and finally Houston isn't a joke anymore. The Astros have a lot of young talent that really blossomed during year one of Nolan Ryan, and they will only continue to get better. Still, with a more stable rotation and Prince hopefully being able to provide some protection in the lineup for Beltre in addition to Choo becoming the leadoff hitter they've needed for years, they might be able to contend for not only the AL West title, but perhaps the pennant this coming season. Ultimately Jeff Bannister will be just fine as the new manager, he has been a part of the Pirates teams that have come alive the last couple of seasons after years of futility. He inherits a club with a lot of talent. Don't start planning your World Series parade yet, don't assume this team will go from worst to the top like the 2013 Red Sox. But they certainly will have the talent to be a force this coming season.