Contenders that should do nothing

The current iterations of the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves have at least three things in common: all three crafted their own tragic endings to the 2011 season, all three figure to contend again in 2012, and all three teams don't need to do very much in order to do so.

Sure, the Hot Stove is very much about conspicuous consumption. For teams with designs on the belt and the title, anything less than the splashiest addition might be regarded as a half-measure. For teams like the Rangers, Red Sox and Braves, this perhaps goes double: a crushing near-miss should beget major changes. Or at least that's what many observers seem to think. As mentioned, however, there's no need for a purge in Arlington or Boston or Atlanta, and there's no need for pricey, top-tier signings.

To see why these contenders should stand pat, become an ESPN Insider.

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