After more than seven months and 162 games, the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers won 93 and 94 games, respectively.
Their seasons ended in the span of three hours, as they became the first teams to lose in MLB’s new wild-card elimination game format. Such is the new reality for wild-card berth winners.
This also means the offseason has arrived for the Braves and Rangers. So let’s take a look at what both teams need and the possible moves that could improve their clubs or at least shore up the weaknesses.
Texas Rangers
Free agents: Josh Hamilton, OF; Mike Napoli, C; Mike Adams, RHR; Koji Uehara, RHR; Mark Lowe, RHR; Roy Oswalt, RHR; Scott Feldman, RHR (club option)Needs/targets
The Rangers will lose several significant arms from their bullpen. They hope to get Neftali Feliz back, but both he and Alexi Ogando have told the Rangers their preference is to start, so the Rangers must address those bullpen losses. The Rangers also must figure out a plan for top prospect Jurickson Profar. Is he ready for the big leagues, and, if so, would he or fellow shortstop Elvis Andrus possibly move to center field? But their biggest decisions this offseason will be regarding free agents Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli. Will the Rangers re-sign or replace them? Here are several possible free-agent targets, including Hamilton and Napoli:
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- JimBowdenESPNxm JIM BOWDEN
Bruce Bochy said that he might have given Sandoval the flu because he had in Toronto....said he's in lineup tonight but hasn't seen him yet
about 4 hours ago
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Bruce Bochy said if it wasn't for his oblique injury Petit would have been the front runner for replacing Vogelsong in their rotation XM 89
about 4 hours ago
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Bochy told us that Heston had a rough start today in Fresno, he said Kickman will be in the mix...Shane Loux has been steady is in mix..
about 4 hours ago
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Bochy told us that he doesn't need a starter until next tuesday in Oakland and doesn't know who will replace Vogelsong as of now XM 89
about 4 hours ago
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Bruce Bochy just told us on #InsidePItch that he likes how Gaudin works out of the bullpen they are calling up Rosario and Pill now XM89
about 4 hours ago
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Mike Matheny just told us on #INSIDEPITCH that David Freese is on the training table right now "might have to give him another day" XM89
about 5 hours ago
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Coming up on our show today guests will include Giants MGR Bruce Bochy;Cardinals MGR Mike Matheny and Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado Sirius209XM89
about 7 hours ago
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Wells double RBI Yanks 5 O's 4 in 10th ...Wells continues Comeback Player of theYear bid
about 23 hours ago
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Prayers to all in Oklahoma City dealing with this horrendous Tornado
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Thanks to Huston Street, Scott Feldman and Ken Rosenthal for joining us on our show today #InsidePItch @JimBowdenESPNxm @CaseyStern
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My colleague at ESPN @C_Singleton is working with @Trouty20 for charity and you can meet Mike Trout and Chris here: : http://t.co/BV4AGwJWNb
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Thanks to Zach and Rammer from ESPN St. Louis Radio for having me on their show today!
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Coming up on INSIDE PITCH...Padres closer Huston Street Sirius 209 XM 89
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Dodgers reinstate Ted Lilly and option Matt MaGill according to Dodgers
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Should the Angels DL Albert Pujols & get his left plantar facitis & right knee healthy? and give him a chance to have a Pujols like 2nd 1/2?
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Cubs starter Scott Feldman joins us right now Sirius 209 XM 89
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Dr. James Andrews told us on the Front Office that in his professional opinion 120 should be the pitch limit for starting pitchers #PHealth
2 days ago
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Jurrickson Profar .278/.370/.438 7 2B 2 3B 4 HR 27 R 19 RBI....Profar could be in big leagues in ProNEAR time #Rangers
2 days ago
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Andrew McCutchen scratched today with a right knee injury; Aramis Ramriez scratched today with left knee injury #Knees
2 days ago
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Thanks Kristen!
2 days ago
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