The 2022-2023 Texas Rangers offseason is already off to a bang after GM Chris Young and the front office re-signed all-star Martin Perez, brought in Jacob deGrom who is one of the best pitchers in baseball, and signed Andrew Heaney. The club is still active in the pitching market and looking to add a middle-of-the-order bat.
However, if you’re like me and you miss baseball season, you’re already looking forward to the 2023 season. Today, I’m gonna give you five hot takes that I think could (but not necessarily will) happen in the Texas Rangers 2023 season.
1. The Rangers sneak into the Playoffs as a Wild Card Team – Woah!!! We’re starting off hot. For the Rangers to go from a 94 loss team all the way to the playoffs would be an impeccable turnaround. Call me crazy but I think it’s possible. The Rangers have brought in a championship level coaching staff led by three time World Series Champion Bruce Bochy, whose “old school” style of baseball is going to help this Rangers team. If the pitching can stay healthy and the key offensive pieces can produce, I think that this team could sneak in as a Wild Card.
2. Texas sends five players to the All Star Game in Seattle – I could most definitely see a universe to which this happens. If both Semien and Seager can make it, that would be two. If either Adolis Garcia or Nathainel Lowe could make it, that would be another. In the rotation if Jacob deGrom can stay healthy, he’ll most likely make it and either Martin Perez or Jon Gray joining them would make five. Not to mention someone like Jonah Heim who almost made it last season. This does not seem very likely but there is a reason it’s called a hot take.
3. Jacob deGrom wins the AL Cy Young in his first year with the Rangers – Knowing Jacob deGrom is this really even a hot take? deGrom is one of the best pitchers in baseball and will be the Rangers ace in 2023. The tall righty has won two Cy Young awards with the Mets. Winning one in his first year as a Ranger would be a pleasant surprise but it’s definitely not a surprise by any means.
4. Corey Seager and Marcus Semien both hit over 30 home runs and 80 runs – If you really think about it, this is not so much of a hot take. Last year Corey Seager hit 33 home runs and drove in 83 runs and Marcus Semein hit 26 home runs and drove in 83 runs. The only reason that I included this as a hot take is because I do think that Seager’s power numbers may dip a little as his average goes up this year. Also because Semein has only hit 30 home runs twice in his career one of which in 2021 with Toronto were he played his home games in a AAA park and then Rogers center which is a launch pad. However, I think it’s definitely possible for the two of them to both accomplish those numbers this season because of how Seager already accomplished those last year and Semien was only four homers away
5. The Rangers bullpen ranks in the top ten in bullpen ERA – The part of the team that struggled most last season was the bullpen. Certain guys were inconsistent and they just could never really seem to find a rhythm. However, I think that next season will be different. First off I think the bullpen will be relied upon less because of the fact that the starting pitching will be better. If Texas is able to resign Matt Moore they will have the multi inning duo of him and Brock Burke back. Texas will also get a full season of both Jose Leclerc and Jonathan Heranadez this year as well as additons that could be made from now until opening day. I really think that is bullpen has the right pieces to have a successful season.
No matter which hot takes you believe about this Rangers team, this upcoming 2023 season is going to be fun. There is no doubt that Texas will be a much improved squad that could be playing contending baseball in 2023.
