ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — For Corey Seager, it was once a peculiar feeling being at his locker within the Texas Rangers clubhouse after the regular-season finale realizing there have been not more video games to play.
That has develop into all too not unusual for the Rangers, who’ve now overlooked the playoffs six years in a row — even after their report spending spree closing offseason that incorporated an funding of a half-billion bucks to signal free-agent center infielders Seager and Marcus Semien to long-term offers.
“It’s just been a strange day because you’re kind of expecting what’s next, and it’s not there,” stated Seager, the shortstop whose first seven large league seasons had been with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who went to a few World Series and not overlooked the playoffs in that span. He was once World Series MVP two years in the past.
There had been by no means any expectancies that Texas would cross from 102 losses closing year right away to a identify. But the Rangers by no means had a winning report at any level this season, the height being 24-24 on the finish of May. They completed 68-94, handiest 8 wins greater than 2021.
Fourth-year supervisor Chris Woodward and president of baseball operations Jon Daniels, the longtime government who was once common supervisor of World Series groups in 2010 and 2011, had been fired days aside in mid-August.
“Bottom line is we’re not good, and we haven’t been good for six years,” number one workforce proprietor Ray Davis stated the day he fired Daniels. The present possession staff purchased the workforce in 2010, quickly sooner than the franchise’s first World Series look.
While the Rangers went 17-31 for meantime supervisor Tony Beasley, younger avid gamers were given prolonged seems to be over the general 3rd of the season. Rookies like fast outfielder Bubba Thomson (18 stolen bases in 55 video games) and infielder-outfielder Josh Smith were given steady taking part in time, and touted prospect 3rd baseman Josh Jung made his MLB debut with 26 video games the general month.
“We are not as far away, I think, as people think we are,” stated Beasley, the longtime 3rd base trainer.
Beasley, who as soon as controlled Rangers GM Chris Young within the minors, shall be a candidate within the managerial seek. Young additionally can also be having a look to strengthen the roster, with Davis pronouncing the desires are glaring.
“We need a couple of front-end starters and we need a middle-of-the-lineup bat,” Davis stated. “I don’t plan on spending as a lot cash as we did closing offseason, however we plan on passing some cash.”
SEAGER AND SEMIEN
Seager hit a career-low .245, however completed 5th within the American League with a career-best 33 homers within the first year of his $325 million, 10-year contract. After his $175 million, seven-year deal, Semien was once batting .193 and not using a homer on June 1 sooner than getting on target to complete with a .248 reasonable and 26 homers. Both had 83 RBIs.
FOR STARTERS
Left-hander Martín Pérez (12-8, 2.89 ERA) was once an first-time All-Star in his go back to Texas after 3 years away. He goes into loose company once more after a $4 million, one-year deal originally of spring coaching closing March, and hopes to go back.
Jon Gray was once 7-7 with a three.96 ERA in his Rangers debut, after his $56 million, four-year deal to be their No. 1 starter got here on the similar time Seager and Semien signed. The right-hander was once restricted to 24 begins on account of 3 damage record stints, however did have 5 begins at finish of the season after lacking six weeks with an indirect pressure.
“Feel a lot better about it mentally, just getting out there and showing that I can go out there and be the same guy again,” Gray stated.
Dane Dunning (4-8, 4.46) had arthroscopic surgical treatment Sept. 26 to fix a torn labrum in his appropriate hip. Rookie Glenn Otto went 7-10 with a 4.64 ERA in 27 begins as a rookie, and 2016 first-round select lefty Cole Ragans made is MLB debut with 9 begins past due.
LOT OF CLOSE CALLS
The 35 one-run losses for the Rangers had been essentially the most in franchise historical past. They misplaced 18 different video games by way of two runs.
‘25’ BENCHMARKS
Adolis García and Semien, whose 25 stolen bases had been 10 greater than he had ever had, had been the primary Texas teammates to each have 25 homers and 25 stolen bases in the similar season. The Rangers led the majors with 128 stolen bases. García hit .250 with 27 homers, 101 RBIs and 25 RBIs.
First baseman Nathaniel Lowe additionally had 27 homers, giving the Rangers 4 avid gamers with greater than 25 homers. Lowe batted .302 to develop into the workforce’s first qualifier to hit .300 since Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre each did in 2016.
COACHING CHANGES
Co-pitching coaches Doug Mathis and Brendan Sagara will not go back to the foremost league training body of workers. The Rangers stated Thursday that Sagara was once presented a distinct place within the group, however Mathis wasn’t. The ultimate full-time coaches had been presented the chance to go back, with roles to be made up our minds when a brand new supervisor is in position.
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