Latest deal with Rangers makes AL West anyones game.
After a disappointing season last year in which the Rangers had the worst record in the American League, they are one of the last teams expected to contend next season, but with a strong rotation bolstered by the acquisition of Yovani Gallardo they are just a few moves away from being right in the middle of a division that is just about anyone's game. Just about a month ago the Astros Athletics and Rangers all looked like they were going to rebuild in 2015, and let the Angels and Mariners battle it out but with recent moves made by the Astros acquiring impact players including Evan Gattis, Luis Valbuena, Jed Lowrie, Pat Neshek, Luke Gregerson, and Dan Straily, and the Athletics acquiring Ben Zobrist, and Tyler Clippard. The Rangers are the latest to make a big deal, with the trade of minor leaguers Corey Knebel, and Marcos Diplan, as well as utility infielder Luis Sardinas who played well in his first 43 games last year. Yovani Gallardo will pitch likely second or third in the Rangers in 2015 behind Yu Darvish and possibly Derek Holland who got 1.5 WAR in only 5 games started last season. Yovani Gallardo is a nice addition to the middle of this rotation. He had a WAR of 2.4 last season and had a ERA of 3.51. The Brewers already have some great underrated pitchers including Willy Peralta (2.7 WAR), and Mike Fiers (2.5 WAR). |