On a Monday morning, the metal stands located just past the chain-link fence behind the home plate of the “TX 1” backfield at the shared Texas Rangers/Kansas City Royals complex in Surprise, Arizona, were filled with excitement. I don’t know whether spectators needed tickets for minor-league spring training games.
Rangers struggled in 2021 with over 100 losses
In 2021, the Rangers suffered over 100 losses, a decade after their last World Series appearance. The following offseason, they spent half a billion dollars on two star shortstops in an attempt to usher in a new era. However, in 2022, they lost 94 games and fell even further behind the first-place Houston Astros. To put it simply, the Rangers’ rotation allowed more runs than 23 other MLB starting lineups.
Before the season ended, the team dismissed its manager and head of baseball operations, promoting former pitcher Chris Young to the position. In the offseason, the Rangers fired two pitching coaches, bringing back the coach who led them to consecutive World Series appearances. They also persuaded a three-time champion manager to come out of retirement.
The team revamped its rotation, signing free-agent deals with Andrew Heaney, Nathan Eovaldi, and Jacob deGrom within a single month. These three pitchers, all in their 30s, contributed a combined 246 innings last year. The health of the entire rotation will be crucial in improving the Rangers’ performance, with deGrom being a particularly valuable asset.
Jacob DeGrom signed to a $185 million deal
The Rangers offered deGrom a $185 million deal to serve as their ace for five seasons. They needed him on the mound when it mattered, which meant holding off on game appearances for the first month of spring training due to tightness in his left side.
Jacob DeGrom eventually faced teammates in live batting practice and was soon ready to make his first start in a Rangers uniform. This led to a showdown with the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Royals’ Triple-A team.
DeGrom pitched 24 throws, including 20 strikes, in two innings before moving to the bullpen mounds. He retired the following six batters in a row, with five strikeouts. After the game, deGrom reported feeling great and was optimistic about his pitches for the upcoming season.
Jacob DeGrom still looking for first World Series title
For nine years, deGrom was a symbol of hope for Mets fans. He was an All-Star in 2015 when the team went to the World Series but did not clinch the title. Despite his superhuman performance, the team continued to struggle.
Entering his age-35 season with a new team and no championship ring, Jacob deGrom may come to represent something different for Rangers fans. His talent is undeniable, and it’s tempting to assume he’s a guaranteed success. However, nothing is certain in baseball, so on that Monday morning in Arizona, the Rangers took a cautious first step.
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