After two consecutive World Series defeats, Texas hoping for third time lucky
The Texas Rangers came so close, yet so far, from the first World Series title in franchise history last season, yet it was déjà vu all over again as they fell at the final hurdle. It will be of little comfort to those Texas players and staff that the 2011 Fall Classic was exactly that. A classic.
They have made some big off-season moves, with C.J. Wilson departing to sign for division rivals and mega spenders the L.A. Angels, while Japanese star Yu Darvish arrives with a phenomenal reputation, but are the expectations too high? Meanwhile, veteran Joe Nathan arrives from Minnesota and will take over the role of closer, allowing Neftali Feliz to move to the rotation.
The biggest storyline of the off-season was, however, the plight of Josh Hamilton. The story of his past abuse of alcohol and drugs is well known, and a relapse in February is an incident of serious concern to the Rangers family. Hopefully, it was just a minor blip and he will be able to put up the numbers that has earned him four All-Star appearances and an AL MVP award, but only time will tell.
IN : Joe Beimel (RP – Pittsburgh), Dusty Brown (C – Pittsburgh), Alberto Gonzalez (INF – San Diego), Sean Green (RP – Milwaukee), Brad Hawpe (INF – Colorado), Kyle Hudson (OF – Baltimore), Connor Jackson (OF – Boston), Joe Nathan (RP – Minnesota), Brandon Snyder (INF – Baltimore), Mitch Stetter (RP – Milwaukee)
OUT : Omar Beltre (RP), Andres Blanco (INF – Washington), Esteban German (INF), Michael Gonzalez (RP), Darren Oliver (RP – Toronto), Omar Quintanilla (INF – N.Y. Mets), Taylor Teagarden (C – Baltimore), Brett Tomko (RP – Cincinnati), Matt Treanor (C – L.A. Dodgers), Ryan Tucker (RP – L.A. Dodgers), Merkin Valdez (RP – Oakland), Brandon Webb (SP), C.J. Wilson (SP – L.A. Angels), Tm Wood (RP – Pittsburgh)
Catchers : Mike Napoli is the clear number one in the catchers department for the Rangers, coming off a career year. The 30 year old was one of five Rangers players to hit 25 or more homers in 2011, notching 30 blasts and 75 RBIs. His .320 AVG was nearly 70 points higher than his career average so he will be keen to prove that it wasn’t merely an anomaly. Yorvit Torrealba provides perfect back-up and could see time as DH on occasion. Following the exits of Treanor and Teagarden, weak hitting Luis Martinez is next on the depth chart, but Dusty Brown is an experienced Spring Training invite that could topple Martinez.
Infielders : As you would expect from the back-to-back AL Champs, they have an incredibly strong line-up, led by an experienced infield. Adrain Beltre is somewhat enigmatic but a consistent home run threat, as can be seen by his three Silver Slugger awards and 310 career homers. Mitch Moreland will get the nod at first and is a rising star that will be looking to improve on his .259 and 16 homer effort last year. Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus are a top tier middle infield duo who combined for 67 stolen bases in 2011, while Kinsler notched up 30 home runs in a season for the second time in his career. Brandon Snyder and Brad Hawpe are new veteran signings that will be providing depth, while Napoli can also man first base if needed.
Outfielders : A strong and deep outfield is lead by Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz, who have combined for 108 HRs and 426 RBIs in the last two seasons, yet both have had niggling injuries that have seen them miss over 150 games in that spell. Should Hamilton be able to separate the off-field issues from his on-field performances, and there’s no reason to suggest he can’t, then the duo will again be one of the most feared partnerships in the game. The other outfield slot seems up for grabs, with Craig Gentry and David Murphy the favourites to fight it out. Gentry has just 95 games under his belt, but 64 of those came last season and he is a base-stealing threat. Murphy, on the other hand, is more experienced, having made over 100 appearances in each of his four full seasons with the Rangers. Julio Borbon is another option, but injuries have held back his progression and he could be more likely to be utilised as a speedster off the bench. Connor Jackson is a non-roster invite, while the young hopefuls are lead by Engel Beltre and Leonys Martin.
Designated Hitter : Although he will also see significant time in the infield, currently the back-up at every position, Michael Young will be the DH. Having almost left the franchise prior to the 2011 season, Young had his best season yet, hitting a career best .338 and 106 RBIs. His 1667 appearances are a franchise record, and he is the only player in franchise history to notch 1000 runs or 2000 hits. The undisputed leader of the team.
Starting Pitchers : Having lost C.J. Wilson, a great deal will depend on just how good Yu Darvish turns out to be. His NPB record is unquestionably good, but too often Japanese players, particularly pitchers, have struggled in America. If the 25 year old can record anything close to his 1.99 career ERA, then the Texas rotation will be lethal. Colby Lewis is listed on the depth chart as the number one, but he had the worst 2011 of any Rangers starter, going 14-10 with a 4.40 ERA, but he is the veteran of the staff. With Neftali Feliz taking his nasty stuff from the bullpen to the rotation, following two consecutive 30 save, sub 2.75 ERA seasons, there will be three pitchers fighting for two spots. Alexi Ogando impressed after he moved to the rotation, but he could be utilised in the bullpen if he is the odd man out. Matt Harrison and Derek Holland both had great seasons last year, but Holland appears to have the edge. The young duo combined for a 30-14 record, along with a sub 3.70 ERA. For the back end of the rotation, very few teams can compete with those numbers. Scott Feldman is a lefty that has starting experience, but is likely to earn a spot in the bullpen, while a variety of young arms, like Kelvin de la Cruz, are available to spot start if needed.
Relief Pitchers : Joe Nathan arrives as the closer, two years removed from Tommy John surgery. Prior to his injury, the 37 year old was one of the most feared closers in the game and left Minnesota as the franchise leader in saves. A veteran, yet questionable bullpen is led by two 36 year old Japanese righties in Koji Uheara and Yoshinori Tateyama, while Mike Adams, at 33, completes a veteran quartet that will be crucial to the Rangers late inning chances. Mark Lowe returns for a second full season in Arlington, but his post-season woes will need to be addressed despite being a solid option during the regular season. His career post-season ERA is 37.80. Mark Hamburger should make the Opening Day roster despite just 8.0 innings experience, while Michael Kirkman could be the sole lefty in the bullpen, although Miguel de los Santos is a rising prospect who could push Kirkman all the way. Joe Biemel, Mitch Stretter and Sean Green are non-roster invites that could force their way into the reckoning with solid displays, while the young talent is led by Wilmer Font and Martin Perez.
PREDICTION : They should easily qualify for the post-season, barring a massive injury crisis, but I give the Angels a slight edge over the Rangers following the additions of Pujols and Wilson. If Yu Darvish can put up Verlanderesque numbers then they have six starters all capable of performing at a high level, but their bullpen is questionable. Nathan struggled last year coming off the injury and will need to approach 2009 standards for them to justify moving Feliz to the rotation. Their line-up is both strong and pretty deep, so scoring runs certainly will not be a problem. Second place for the Rangers from me.
