Is Rangers' Banister viable AL Manager of the Year candidate?
The Texas Rangers enter play Tuesday 64-59, 3 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros and in sole possession of the second AL wild-card spot.
That they're in a position to maybe make the postseason reflects very well on first-year manager Jeff Banister, something noted by CBS Sports' Matt Snyder in his latest roundup of AL Manager of the Year candidates.
Remember, Banister has helmed the Rangers for their turnaround this season without the services of Yu Darvish (recovering from Tommy John surgery) and having only gotten Derek Holland back recently due to his injury situation.
Here's Snyder's case for Banister to be considered among John Gibbons of the Toronto Blue Jays, the Astros' A.J. Hinch, Ned Yost of the Kansas City Royals and others:
First-year manager Banister inherited a team that won just 67 games last season and they've already gotten to 64 this year, surprisingly holding onto the second AL wild-card spot as things stand. Yes, the team last year dealt with tons of injuries, but Banister lost Yu Darvish before the season started, Derek Holland has only made two starts and Martin Perez has only made seven since returning from Tommy John surgery. There have been position player injuries, too. Banister has gotten all he could from this roster and they're coming together at the right time, sporting a 22-13 record since the All-Star break.
Whatever happens from here on out for the Rangers, the team's 2015 success can't be overlooked, nor can the work of Banister in his first season as their leader.
(h/t Eye On Baseball)
