Max Scherzer on Texas Rangers: 'They're Coming Into Their Window'

The reasons the Texas Rangers have transformed from also-rans to contenders are many and well-documented.

Spending sprees the last two offseasons netting big names like Jacob deGrom, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and Nathan Eovaldi were huge. Same for hiring three-time World Series-winning manager Bruce Bochy.

There’s the development of young foundation pieces, such as Josh Jung and Jonah Heim. And a willingness to be aggressive with trades for Max Scherzer, Aroldis Chapman and Jordan Montgomery.

Add it all up, and there’s a reason players want to be in Arlington. Just ask Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner who waived his no-trade clause with the New York Mets to come to Texas.

“When you do your homework,” he said, according to Yahoo Sports, “you feel like they’re coming into their window.”

The Rangers (72-54) are leading the American League West and, despite a season-high six-game losing streak, are on track to end a six-year playoff drought. It’s quite a turnaround for a club that didn’t always relish coming to Globe Life Field.

Starting pitcher Dane Dunning admitted to Yahoo Sports that players in recent years couldn’t wait to leave the clubhouse after games. Being on a losing team was just not fun.

“Now, win or lose, we’ll hang out after the game. We’ll talk, we’ll just hang out, do things together. Even on off-days, same thing,” he said. “And it just makes the atmosphere so much more fun.”

General manager Chris Young has cultivated a family-first atmosphere, with an emphasis on finding players that fit together on and off the field. That appears to be working.

“I subscribe that the foundation of that starts with the right people,” Young told Yahoo Sports. “Choosing the right people who embody winning characteristics helps create that environment.”

Texas opens a four-game series at the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. at Target Field, with Andrew Heaney (9-6, 4.27) going for the Rangers.

You can follow Art Garcia on Twitter @ArtGarcia92.

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