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2023 Tale of the Tape Breakdown: Playoff Contenders, Mariners vs Rangers
A few years ago, an article series like this would have seemed like a waste of time. Before 2022, comparing the Seattle Mariners to anyone other than the worst teams in baseball was a waste of time. Now? Now things are different. In part 3 of an 8 part series, I'm going to take a look at the teams that could potentially stand in the Mariners way of not only making the postseason but winning the American League.
This week, we're going to see how the Mariners measure with a certain big spending ball club down in Texas.
Mariners Tale of the Tape: Big Spends in Arlington, the Texas Rangers
Offseason Summary
The 2022 Texas Rangers were one of baseball’s biggest disappointments in baseball at 68-94. To lose nearly 100 games after spending over $560 million was not acceptable. After former Rangers manager Chris Woodward’s disastrous tenure came to an end, the Rangers made another financial commitment to getting back to contention.
Texas made big waves at the start of the offseason by agreeing to terms with Bruce Bochy to be their manager on a three-year deal. The former Padres and Giants manager, winner of 4 league championships and 3 World Series titles, brings immediate legitimacy to the Rangers vision of being a contender. After signing the two biggest offensive free agents in 2021, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, the Rangers went after shoring up their rotation.
The Rangers acquired Jake Odorizzi, brought back Martin Perez on his qualifying offer, signed Andrew Heaney and Nathan Eovaldi, and then shocked the world by signing superstar pitcher Jacob deGrom. After another nearly $265 million spent on the pitching staff, there’s no excuse for the Rangers to not be a playoff contender, but are they a true contender?