It's not supposed to happen this quickly -- and it's certainly not supposed to happen with this kind of roster. Two years ago, the Texas Rangers lost 102 games. Now they're World Series champions, and they did it with just five homegrown players on their World Series roster -- rookies Josh Jung and Evan Carter, center fielder Leody Taveras and pitchers Jose Leclerc and Cody Bradford.
The Rangers are proof that quick turnarounds are possible with smart trades, more than a little cash, some good fortune and getting hot at the right time.