With the acquisition of Zack Greinke from Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim boast a rotation that include features Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and C.J. Wilson. Will the Texas Rangers respond?
Entering Friday night, Texas was 58-39 and owned a five-game lead over the Angels in the American League West. That cushion could disappear quickly, though, since the Angels have bolstered an already strong rotation while the Rangers lost right-hander Colby Lewis for the season earlier in the week and saw Roy Oswalt miss a start because of back stiffness.
The Angels have four proven top of the rotation arms. The Rangers arguably have none. Matt Harrison, Yu Darvish and Derek Holland are quality starters, but they are middle of the rotation guys.
The Rangers undoubtedly have the offense to pummel opposing pitching, but in the post-season they will need effective pitching. ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick said that Texas might move the versatile Alexi Ogando into the rotation instead of trading for an arm.
CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler reported on Friday that the Rangers appeared to prefer Greinke over Tampa Bay’s James Shields and Miami’s Josh Johnson.
Now that Greinke is no longer an option, Texas could have no choice but to pursue Shields or Johnson. Multiple media reports indicate that Rangers general manager Jon Daniels will not trade minor league shortstop phenom Jurickson Profar.
Crasnick also reported that the Rangers might be interested in Kansas City reliever Jonathan Broxton, which especially makes sense if they move Ogando into the rotation.
