Latest World Series Titles: Never
Recent Close Calls: Lost 2011 and 2010 World Series; Won AL West six times in past 25 years
World Series Odds: +1300 (6th-best)
Outlook for 2024 and Beyond: Depends on whether the old pitchers are even remotely worth their salaries
Without question, the Rangers had the most painful recent close call, losing that 2011 World Series to the Cardinals in excruciating fashion. And because of that blown opportunity, they have MLB’s second-longest World Series drought of 63 years, trailing only Cleveland’s 75-year run without a ring.
At least Cleveland did win two titles once upon a time, though. Texas has never done it, and next season will be crossing the threshold of 10,000 games without a World Series if it doesn’t get it done this year.
However, they’re not quite No. 1 on the desperation list, because they at least are built to contend for years to come.
Marcus Semien is signed through 2028, and they’ve got Corey Seager inked through 2031. At some point, those middle infielders will pass their prime and those contracts will deteriorate from gifts into curses, but for now, that’s one heck of a main nucleus.
They’ve also got Nathaniel Lowe, Adolis Garcia, Jonah Heim, Josh Jung, Leody Taveras and Ezequiel Duran all under team control through at least 2026. Throw in highly touted, recently called up prospect Evan Carter and this should be one of the most potent offenses in the majors over the next three years.
We shall see about the pitching, though.
They should have Max Scherzer coming back next season. Nathan Eovaldi and Jon Gray are signed through 2025. Dane Dunning is under team control through 2026. And, theoretically, they’ll have a healthy Jacob deGrom for some portion of the 2024-27 seasons. That should be enough arm power to support a great offense.
But if Texas doesn’t win one in the next 2-3 years, more and more baseball fans outside of Arlington are going to start learning about the Curse of Bob Short.
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