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 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

No. 13 Texas Rangers

Right fielder Gabe Kapler was the key to the deal that sent Juan Gonzalez to Detroit. Rick Stewart/Allsport

1999 Record: 95-67 (1st in AL West)

The Texas Rangers won the AL West last season, but were swept in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight year. Management wanted a new look for a new decade and they got it by trading away two-time MVP Juan Gonzalez.

In return, the Rangers got promising outfielder Gabe Kapler and lefty Justin Thompson, who could be a number one starter if he can rebound from shoulder surgery.

Kapler will join phenom Ruben Mateo in the Rangers outfield. Texas will also start a rookie at third base -- either Mike Lamb or Tom Evans -- which makes for a young lineup. A team can win with one or two prospects playing every day, but three may be too many for a Rangers' team that doesn't have dominant talent at every other position.

The inexperience at key positions along with the loss of Gonzalez' production is why I rank the Rangers as only the 13th best team in baseball.

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