Texas Rangers Sign Yu Darvish: Reasons Why It Makes Them World Series Favorites

For the past two seasons, the Texas Rangers have represented the American League in the World Series. After signing Yu Darvish, the Rangers look to get back to the World Series for the third straight year.

According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Darvish has signed a six-year deal worth $60 million. Jeff Passan of Yahoo adds that Darvish could make another $10 million in bonuses.

Darvish makes an already great team even better and could be the piece that the Rangers need to push themselves over the edge so that they can win the first World Series in the history of their franchise.

This is obviously one of the biggest signings of the offseason and it could have a prolific impact on the AL West as well as the MLB playoffs.

An Already Good Rangers Rotation Gets Even Better

The Texas Rangers now have an ace to replace C.J. Wilson. Yu Darvish will step in and have the ability to lead the Rangers' staff.

In addition to Darvish, the Rangers will have Neftali Feliz, Colby Lewis, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and Alexi Ogando to round out their rotation. This could potentially be one of the best starting rotations in baseball.

Darvish Gives Them an Ace

It is important that a World Series contender has an ace that can help them stop a long losing streak or start a playoff series on the right note.

Yu Darvish has the ability to do both as the ace of the Texas Rangers pitching staff. This will also take pressure off some of the younger starters behind him.

They Still Can Afford Prince Fielder

Adding Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers lineup would give them a scary heart of the order. Fielder could put up some outstanding numbers at the hitter friendly Ballpark in Arlington.

Jim Bowden of ESPN.com has noted that the Rangers can afford to sign both Yu Darvish and Fielder.

It Keeps Them Ahead of the Los Angeles Angels

The American League West got a whole lot tougher when the Los Angeles Angels signed Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson this winter. They became a much more credible threat to the Texas Rangers' playoff hopes after they made these moves.

Now the Rangers have countered these additions by signing Darvish. Adding him keeps the Rangers as the favorites in the AL West and also makes them the favorites to win the AL pennant.