| Team Information
The Texas Rangers have improved change-ups early on in their season and seats are guaranteed to becoming a growing commodity among baseball fans. Though the Rangers team has yet to a win a World Series or AL Pennant as of yet, coaches and managers remain positive that with these changes, the team has a serious shot at a run on the playoffs. However, the Rangers aren’t getting over confident; they know they have a long way to go before the playoffs. But, as outfielder Kevin Mench stated, “"We're looking forward to the challenge.” As far as challenges are concerned, last year’s 2005-06 season definitely set the team up for quite a few of them. With two of the bullpen’s key players, Francisco Cordero and Carlos Almanzar, benched for Tommy John surgery, they turned to Kenny Rodgers. However, soon after the pitching ace received a twenty game suspension from commissioner Bud Selig for attacking a cameraman.
Then, the Rangers surprisingly swept all three series after an incredible home stand and management placed opening day starter Ryan Drese on waivers. The player was quickly picked up by the Washington Nationals. After these issues, the Rangers struggled to find some kind of stability on the mound, causing them to yet again miss the playoffs.
Rangers general manager, John Hart, stepped down from his position last October giving it up to assistant GM Jon Daniels. At only twenty-eight and one month, Daniels is the youngest GM in league history. In the offseason, the Rangers picked up players such as outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge. They then went on to build up the mound, acquiring pitchers such as Ricardo Rodriguez, and Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka. These players were picked up in exchange for Chris Young, Adrian Gonzalez, and newly acquired outfielder Terrmel Sledge.
Despite Rangers home field's reputation of being a hitter’s ballpark, serious changes have marked an early vast improvement in the bullpen. Seeing a major problem with the inconsistency of closer Francisco Cordero, who blew five of eight major save chances early in the 2006 season, pitching coach Mark Conner decided it was time for some serious modifications. With this in mind, he has been replaced by closer Akinori Otsuka, bringing about at least a general improvement in the bullpen. All together, positive changes are being made in the team’s lineup, making this a great season for the Rangers and their fans.
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