Chicago Cubs must differentiate themselves in Shohei Ohtani talks

Rangers looking to unseat the Astros in the Lone Star State

2015 – 2017 Record: 261-225 (.537 winning percentage)

Short-Term Outlook: 

On Monday night, the Rangers landed one of the top pitching free agents, inking Mike Minor to a multi-year deal. Of course, the club traded Yu Darvish to the Dodgers mid-year, leaving a hole in the rotation.

The offense is very well-balanced. Nomar Mazara followed up his fifth-place Rookie of the Year campaign with his first 100-RBI season in 2017. Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre give Texas a heavy-hitting left side of the infield and Joey Gallo mashed 41 long-balls. Adding pitching might be what puts the Rangers over the top moving forward – the club lost not only Darvish but also Andrew Cashner.

Pitching is key – and Ohtani might be the answer.

Long-Term Outlook:

On MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospect list, Texas features the likes of Leody Taveras (27) and Willie Calhoun (59). Gallo is clearly the team’s most talented young player. His swing-and-miss tendencies are troubling, but fit into the league’s larger epidemic.

Developing young pitching to go with their quality core of position players will be the make-or-break for the Rangers. Ohtani could be the face of the franchise – one opening a brand-new ballpark in the coming years.

Biggest Differentiator:

Texas helped Yu Darvish develop into one of the best pitchers in baseball. The resources are in place to do the same for Ohtani. Experience speaks for itself – it’s as simple as that.