All remains fairly quiet for the Texas Rangers this offseason, as the 2014 winter meetings have now come and gone.
The club re-signed veteran right-hander Colby Lewis and made a trade with the Washington Nationals for Ross Detwiler, per Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan (h/t MLB Trade Rumors). General manager Jon Daniels said pitching was a priority this offseason, and he has certainly made his rounds trying to acquire it.
For a team that lost 95 games last season, however, the Rangers have yet to improve. Lewis was a part of last season’s pitching staff that had the second-worst ERA in all of baseball. He himself had a hefty ERA of 5.18 during his 29 starts. Detwiler wasn’t much better, posting an ERA of at least 4.00 for the second consecutive season.
Other than that, Texas has yet to show it is willing to spend in order to compete for a playoff spot in 2015. Whether it is prospects or money, the team seems content with the players it currently has on the roster two months before spring training.
It should be, and so should the fans.
The club is getting a C for its work, or lack thereof, so far this offseason. The Rangers didn’t get anything higher strictly because they haven’t improved their pitching staff but merely added depth. But since they haven’t shipped off any big-name prospects or opened up the checkbook for any high-profile free agents, Daniels still gets a passing grade.
Nobody has forgotten the historic amount of injuries that plagued the Rangers in 2014. They used more pitchers and players altogether than any other team in history. It isn’t the only reason the franchise lost more than 90 games for the first time since 2003, but it did play a factor.
With an improved pitching staff, a healthy roster and players playing to their capabilities, this team can contend for a playoff spot.
Staying quiet this offseason will be good for the players in Arlington. There will be competition out in left field, with players like Mitch Moreland, Ryan Rua and Jake Smolinski all duking it out for the position. It also provides competition for the designated hitter spot.
The club is in need of another catcher and upgrades to the rotation and bullpen. And currently, young studs like Joey Gallo, Jorge Alfaro and Alex Gonzalez are still with the organization.
It may not be the offseason many fans were looking for, but Daniels has done well waiting for the right deal to come along. There is still plenty of time for this team to improve on the pitching side and possibly add power to the right side of the plate.
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
You can follow Trey on Twitter @treydwarren.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com