Seven Costanza said:
Really well-written article over on LSB today
https://www.lonestarball.com/2023/10/24/23930128/the-unexpected-a-l-champions
I'm way behind on the comment section, but this is a great article, Ranger homer tilt or not. But this part is just incredible:
"Early in the season, you could see this Rangers team being a serious threat to make the World Series. By the end of September, though? Come on. Even if the offense woke up and scored runs, the pitching staff was in shambles. This was a team commonly viewed as a speed bump for some other team's playoff run.
And why not? I mean, look at the roster of this club. Yes, there is the half-billion dollar middle infield that anchors the lineup. But after that?
Adolis Garcia, twice DFA'd, acquired by the Rangers from the St. Louis Cardinals for cash considerations.
Nathaniel Lowe, the guy shipped out by the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for three minor leaguers because the Rays believed they had better options to play first base.
Jonah Heim, former Player To Be Named Later, thrice traded, acquired by the Rangers from the Oakland A's, the A's parting with Heim, essentially, so they'd have to pay less of Elvis Andrus's salary.
Leody Taveras "former top prospect," as the national broadcast mentioned at least once every game, a guy who most Rangers fans had written off prior to this year and were ready to cut ties with.
Josh Jung, viewed as a reach at #9 overall in the 2019 MLB Draft because of questions about his power and glove.
Mitch Garver, the catcher who couldn't stay healthy, shuffled out of Minnesota for Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Evan Carter, the former second round pick whose selection by the Rangers was mocked and laughed at in 2020, someone who spent most of the year at AA, who only got a shot in September because of Garcia's injury.
And that's without getting into the pitching staff, led by Jordan Montgomery, the pitcher traded by the New York Yankees in the middle of the 2022 season because he wasn't good enough to be in a playoff rotation."
