The Rangers have advanced to the American League Championship Series for the second consecutive October, yet their roster is considerably different in 2011. There are similarities, to be sure, but you don’t have to be Jon Daniels to point to the differences between last year’s team and the one that just eliminated the Rays.
Back in early January, for example, the Rangers signed Adrian Beltre, who hit three homers today. Game 3 hero Mike Napoli arrived in a trade three weeks later. MLBTR’s Transaction Tracker offers a chronological look at the players Texas acquired since losing to the Giants in last year’s World Series. Though the Rangers have acquired dozens of players since them, we’re limiting our focus to those who made the ALDS roster:
- Esteban German, minor league deal, November 2010
- Yorvit Torrealba, two-year, $6.25MM signing, November 2010
- Endy Chavez, minor league signing, December 2010
- Adrian Beltre, five-year, $80MM signing January, 2011
- Mike Napoli, acquired from Blue Jays for Frank Francisco January 2011
- Koji Uehara, acquired from Orioles for Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter, July 2011
- Mike Adams, acquired from Padres for Joseph Wieland and Robert Erlin, July 2011
- Mike Gonzalez, acquired from Orioles for Pedro Strop, August 2011
- Matt Treanor, acquired from Royals, August 2011
In total, the Rangers obtained nine of the 25 players on their ALDS roster (36%) since last year (though German and Treanor also appeared on the 2010 team). The Rangers' new players include their All-Star third baseman, their three catchers, three relievers, a backup infielder and a backup outfielder. It may not be enough to out-do the 2010 team, but after 96 victories, an AL West title and a second consecutive trip to the ALCS, the Rangers’ post-pennant moves are looking good.
Arthur Rhodes made an NLDS roster, not this one…
Well, Arthur Rhodes did make an LDS postseason roster, just not the Rangers roster.
Arthur Rhodes is not on the Rangers Roster. He plays for the Cardinals.
Wait, did Aurthur Rhodes make another NLDS roster?!?!
How did Arthur Rhodes finish 20th in the voting for the 1997 AL MVP? OMC: “how bizarre, how bizarre.”
Enough about the Arthur Rhodes talk…..
The Rangers are going to the ALCS!
ARTHUR RHODES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Going to the weaker hitting NL has been a blessing for Rhodes after his pathetic first half performance.
In retrospect, a semi-platoon of Lind and Napoli at 1B sure would have been nice. With Napoli taking some time at DH and C as well.
Because Toronto would have given up Lind and Napoli… keep dreaming.
Fail…
Spencer seems slower than others. Give him a break lol
Wasn’t Chavez a minor-league signing for the 2010 season too? He just re-upped with them after the season since they rehabbed his leg for a season, I thought.
So, as a Ranger fan, I don’t count German, Chavez or Treanor as big new additions – cause they really aren’t.
Harrison wasn’t on the post-season roster last year, but he’s not a new addition. Hmm…
Wasn’t Chavez a minor-league signing for the 2010 season too? He just re-upped with them after the season since they rehabbed his leg for a season, I thought.
So, as a Ranger fan, I don’t count German, Chavez or Treanor as big new additions – cause they really aren’t.
Harrison wasn’t on the post-season roster last year, but he’s not a new addition. Hmm…
Someone like Bell would have cost them 2 top prospects and him leaving at the end of the year. They get a durable pitcher and someone they can have for 2012 in Mike Adams. They will have Uehara next year as well, which was a good trade for what they gave up. His numbers with the Orioles this year were phenomenal. He’ll get better…