Texas Rangers: Reaching 100 losses in 2021 should surprise absolutely no one

There’s nothing fun about seeing the Texas Rangers reach the 100-loss plateau, which the team officially did Wednesday night in a 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

It’s a somber “achievement” for the organization, and their first 100-loss season since 1973. But hey, at least it’s only their first in nearly 50 years!

The Texas Rangers have lost 100 games in 2021, their first 100-loss season since 1973

While that may not serve as consolation for a terrible season, we shouldn’t act as if the sky is falling with this team. The future is plenty bright, as we’ve seen glimpses of throughout this season and by various prospect promotions this month.

But Evan Grant is right. It has been a pretty sad season in Arlington.

Part of a rebuild is experiencing the agony of reaching triple-digit losses. Just ask the Houston Astros or the Chicago Cubs, who were on this end of things at one point before each became successful.

A 100+ loss season all but ensures a top-4 draft pick for the Texas Rangers in 2022, which means another chance to draft a high-impact talent like they did with Jack Leiter this past July. So there’s another reason to believe in the long term.

If there’s another silver lining in all of this, it’s that this year’s team can’t match the 105 losses put up by that infamous 1973 squad. It takes a certain kind of bad to be able to go blow for blow with that team, record-wise.

But is anyone truly surprised by this team reaching the 100-loss plateau? You shouldn’t be.

The MLB product has been bad for the Texas Rangers in 2021. There’s no escaping that reality,. If we’re being rational, this team wasn’t expected to win more than 65 games maximum this season. The fact that they might only hit 60 wins total is evidence of that.

Blame the owners, blame the front office, blame whoever you want. At the end of the day, as tough of a pill as 2021 has been to swallow, it was ultimately necessary if the organization wants to reach its ultimate goal of winning a title, or at least returning to regular contention.

The future is bright. Chris Young said things will improve. An active off-season ahead is expected. Let’s go along for the ride.