Internet sport betting on the Texas Rangers could be different next baseball season as the Rangers continue to upgrade their team.They signed Cubs right-hander Rich Harden to a one-year deal and offshore sports betting has them reaching a deal with Boston third baseman Mike Lowell.
Internet sport betting had the Rangers as a surprise team last year and these latest moves could make them a contender for the American League West title next season. The deal for Harden is a one-year deal for $7.5 million that includes an $11.5 million option for 2011. There are also performances bonuses of $250,000. Harden went 9-9 last offshore sports betting season with the Cubs and had a 4.09 ERA. He struck out 171 batters in 141 innings. Harden is 50-29 in his career with a 3.39 ERA as Internet sport betting stats show. Harden is a pitcher that can impact Internet sport betting when he is healthy. The problem for Harden has been staying on the mound. He has been hurt more often than not in his career.
This is not the first deal for the Rangers this Internet sport betting off-season. The Rangers have already traded pitcher Kevin Millwood to Baltimore for reliever Chris Ray.
Texas has also reached a preliminary agreement to acquire third baseman Mike Lowell from Boston. The Red Sox would pay $7-8 million of Lowell’s $11 million salary for next offshore sports betting season. In the deal the Red Sox would get catcher Max Ramirez. The Rangers are looking at Lowell as a DH and as a player who can spell Chris Davis at first base and Michael Young at third base. Boston is looking at picking up Seattle’s Adrian Beltre or possibly moving Kevin Youkilis to third base although that is not their preference.
Texas was 87-75 a year ago in Internet sport betting. How much better can they be in Internet sport betting next year with the addition of Harden and Lowell? The would need to pick up 10 games to get to the level of the Angels but they might not need that many since Los Angeles figures to be weaker next offshore sports betting season without their ace pitcher John Lackey. The Rangers were 10th in runs scored but just 18th in ERA. The addition of Harden and Ray could help them improve those pitching numbers.