Something something big, something something Texas
Well hello, you ungrateful miscreants.
That’s a little rude, I’m sorry, Let’s try again.
Good day, ye great and silent hordes!
Jake Mailhot works a full time job, writes brilliant, thought-provoking and innovative pieces for FanGraphs, and is raising two spectacularly precious wee (okay, at this point maybe not-so-wee) beings alongside an unfettered gem of a woman. And somehow, within all that, he still summons the time and wherewithal to create piles of spreadsheets and analyses for bi-weekly series previews and these pre-season divisional previews. They are replete with information, a reliable primer and steadfast companion for those of us who enjoy speaking with great authority and being able to do so with actual knowledge to boot. Jake is kind, and generous, and utters nary a peep about the criminal lack of engagement these AL West preview series – and, frequently, the series previews in-season – receive.
I, unfortunately, am less patient and less kind. You will be getting the blog equivalent of a spoonful of cherry cough medicine, sans the spoonful of sugar. Should you be so inclined after reading, you are welcome to take to the comments to a) Sing Jake’s praises, b) Recommend a format/style in which you would prefer to receive information about divisional rivals, c) Eviscerate me, or d) Write whatever else you want, because this is a public website. Though please refrain from overt discussion of the Mariana Trench. We are, after all, a volcano blog.
2024 Record: 78-84, 3rd place in the AL West
Key Additions: C Kyle Higashioka, DH/OF Joc Pederson, 1B Jake Burger, C Tucker Barnhart, “OF” Kevin Pillar
Key Subtractions: 1B Nathaniel Lowe, C Carson Kelly
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the number of birthday candles on the Rangers roster’s birthday cakes. The vast majority of Texas’ time, energy and offseason resources were dedicated to shoring up their pitching, with Pederson and Burger representing the primary upgrades in the lineup. Both bring some pop, albeit at the expense of positional versatility or athleticism. As for the rest? Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe Chris Young just has a soft spot for washed elder millennial backup catchers? We all have our weaknesses. I added Kevin Pillar, because the minor league invitee has been making a compelling case for breaking camp with the team despite being “98% sure” he’d retire at the end of 2024.
Rangers Projected Lineup
So here you can see why Texas might be able to get away with acquiring position players whose average age is approximately 33.
Fact: This lineup, as written, could be the best in the division.
Fact: This lineup, as written, is resplendent with injury-prone players.
2025 FanGraphs Depth Charts position player projections: .248/.317/.434 BA/OBP/SLG, .325 wOBA, 30.2 fWAR
Much like last year, the projections have the Rangers living and dying by their offensive production, though this season’s pitching has significantly higher upside – and a few fewer holes. It’s not hard to envision this team winning 90+ games with a little bit more health luck on their side.