The Improving American League West

Texas Rangers

Oct 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder (28) reacts after striking out during the first inning in game six of the American League Championship Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers both added by adding and added by subtracting. I am a big fan personally of David Murphy, but his numbers in 2013 were very pathetic, the worst of his career. Murph had a line of .220/.282/.374/.656 (his career line is .275/.337/.441/.778). The Texas Rangers added Shin-Soo Choo to play in left field to replace Murphy. The Texas Rangers also needed a power left-handed bat to replace Josh Hamilton, and they did nothing to address that after the 2012 season. This off-season the Texas Rangers added Prince Fielder to be that power hitting left-handed batter. Having Fielder in the line-up should also help Adrian Beltre see better pitches this season, so I expect him to have better numbers as well. Their starting pitching is still a concern with the Derek Holland injury and the unknown of Matt Harrison, but remember, this team was still one game away from the post season as constructed last year and they have improved.