After the Angels made huge moves signing C.J. Wilson and Albert Pujols it looks as though the Rangers are trying to stay right up there with them. It was just announced that Texas’ bid of $51.7 million was good enough to win negotiating rights with the Japanese right-hander.
A few weeks ago the Rangers added to an already good bullpen by bringing in Joe Nathan and now they’re looking to increase the starting portion of their pitching staff. If Darvish bases his contract on what the free agent pitchers have received then look for this contract to be somewhere in the area of $60 million, making the entire deal over $110 million. Could the Rangers starters keep up with the Angels’ Big Four of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, Ervin Santana, and Wilson? Probably not. The Angels’ offense – on paper – looks a lot better as well. It’ll all come down to what happens during the season.
Sox fans know what it’s like to see a team that “looks good on paper” play on the field. Not very pretty.
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