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Marc S.Is it A-Rod for taking up too much of the Rangers' budget, or was it the Rangers' management, for offering A-Rod so much, knowing that they would have to spread the remaining money over a very thinly-qualified field? In 2001, the Rangers spent $7.5MM on Kenny Rogers, who was 5-7, with a 6++ ERA for the Rangers. But people look at the Rangers at the beginning of this decade, and point the finger of blame at A-Rod? I just don't believe it. You can't fault A-Rod that the Rangers offered him so much money. And you can't look at A-Rod and claim that he "stole" the Rangers budget.
The Rangers upper management made some strategic mistakes in building their team in 2001 and 2002. Quite frankly, the Rangers had the best offense in the American League at the time, led not only by A-Rod, but by I-Rod, Ruben Sierra, Rafael Palmeiro, Andres Galarrage and some other key players. Their offense was phenomenal (3rd in runs, 2nd in hits, 1st in homers, 3rd in batting average, 1st in slugging, and had an OPS+ of 110). The Rangers spent $88MM in salary that year -- yes 25% was to A-Rod, but the Rangers bet on offense, and the few marginal investments they made in pitching were abysmal failures. Last in the league in ERA, last in hits allowed, last in runs allowed, last in home runs allowed, and last in walks given up. Not for a lack of trying. Two of their five highest paid players were Rogers and Darren Oliver. But it did not work. I can't fault A-Rod for the Rangers' management's poor decisions.