Texas manager Ron Washington pondered for several seconds the question just presented to him.
What has been the biggest positive to you in the first half about your team?
“Did you take the time to think about that question,” Washington asked.
There have been very few positives.
A team that expected to be World Series caliber after acquiring first baseman Prince Fielder and left fielder Shin-Soo Choo has instead collapsed under the weight of a two-ton boulder called the disabled list.
Rather, the Rangers will feature something more closely resembling a Triple A-caliber team in the second half.
The Rangers, who lead the majors in disabled list uses and most players used, closed the first half with the worst record in baseball. Only 10 players who broke with the team at spring training remain on the active roster.
In the first half, Texas used an MLB-record 50 players, including 30 pitchers.
“It’s much-needed time off,” said shortstop Elvis Andrus. “Everybody needs three or four days off to clear our mind and have some fun.”
Texas was 35-35 on June 16 after having taken two of three games from Seattle on the road, including beating All-Star right-hander Felix Hernandez. Since then, the Rangers have gone 3-21 and to the bottom of the AL West.
“Couldn’t have imagined it,” Washington said. “You put nine guys out there, they have to perform.”
Instead of vying for a division title, the Rangers will be evaluating, young and older alike, to see who can help them next year and beyond.
The second half will be about player development on the big-league level.
It’s difficult to see exactly what the Rangers are at this point. If everyone comes back healthy next year, they should be expected to contend again.
If not … well, the Rangers expect to know some of those answers to that hypothetical by the end of this season.
