Rangers GM Chris Young: 'We're Sick of Losing'
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The Texas Rangers had a mantra this offseason — contention. Every move made was about making sure the Rangers had a chance to contend for the 2023 postseason.
But the fuel for that mantra could be summed up in four words uttered by general manager Chris Young on Monday.
“We’re tired of losing,” Young said, as the Rangers are a week out from reporting to Spring Training in Surprise, Ariz.
That fatigue with losing, Young said, permeates the entire organization.
“I feel a responsibility to our fans that we’re committed to winning and that we are putting the best team on the field to win and compete for the playoffs,” Young said.
The Rangers have posted six straight losing seasons. The offseason was focused on two things — hiring a new manager and bolstering the starting rotation.
The Rangers secured the best-credentialed manager on the market, Bruce Bochy, who managed Young for a year in San Diego. Bochy won three World Series with the San Francisco Giants and returns to the game after a three-year absence.
Young and team owner Ray Davis committed nearly $100 million to starting pitching for 2023 this offseason.
The Rangers started the offseason with one veteran starter under contract in Jon Gray.
Entering Spring Training the Rangers have six. One, Martín Pérez, was retained on a one-year deal. The Rangers traded for Jake Odorizzi. Then the Rangers signed three new starters, including the top free-agent on the market in Jacob deGrom. The Rangers also signed Andrew Heaney and Nathan Eovaldi.
The pitching depth is something both Bochy and Young wanted going into this season.
Now the Rangers have to start putting it all together. Young has never guaranteed a playoff berth for 2023. But he’s made it clear the Rangers are putting together a team that can contend. That commitment started last offseason with the signings of shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien.
Now, Young wants to see it start paying off.
“This is something we’re trying to build for the long term,” Young said. “And I recognize that this may not happen at the pace or timing that we want. But nonetheless, I feel good about the commitment we’ve made to winning. It’s starts with ownership and all the moves we’ve made the past two years.”
Pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training to the team’s facility in Surprise, Ariz., on Feb. 15, with position players to follow by Feb. 20.
The Spring Training game schedule starts on Feb. 24 with a game against Kansas City at the Surprise complex shared with the Royals.
The Rangers wrap up their exhibition season with a pair of games at Globe Life Field against the Royals on March 27 and 28. The Rangers open up the regular season at home against Philadelphia on March 30.
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