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2010 TEXAS RANGERS PREVIEW
It was a resurgent year in Arlington as the Texas Rangers contended for most of the season in the Wild Card race before falling just short in the final week of the season. Despite the disappointment of missing the playoffs, the Rangers’ 87-75 record was their best finish since 2004. The Rangers scored the 10 th most runs in all of baseball in 2009 and that was the driving force behind their success.
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Clearly, the big focus in Texas during the offseason was improving their pitching staff. In fact, playing in a hitter’s park makes the Rangers always focus on bringing in better pitching. However, this year they seemed to finally have brought in some real help, specifically the ultra talented but oft-injured Rich Harden. Will the Rangers be able to continue their high scoring ways and earn a playoff berth in 2010?
STARTING PITCHING
The Rangers have some quality arms returning from 2009, led by righty Scott Feldman (17-8, 4.08 ERA, 31 Starts, 189 IP). It should underscore how difficult it is to pitch at home for Texas starters when you see that Feldman’s home ERA was more than a run higher than his marks on the road. However, he and Harden (9-9, 4.09 ERA, 26 Starts, 141 IP, 171 K) are the only starters who can boast more than a season’s worth of experience in a Major League rotation, so the Rangers will have to hope that Harden can remain healthy in 2009, an unlikely proposition for the continually sidelined flamethrower.
The last three spots are up for grabs between five men. 23 year old Tommy Hunter (9-6, 4.10 ERA, 19 Starts) should break camp as a big leaguer for the first time in his career and appears to be the safest bet to earn a slot. After that, candidates include fellow 23 year old Derek Holland (8-13, 6.12 ERA, 21 Starts), former top prospect Brandon McCarthy (7-4, 4.62 ERA, 17 Starts), lefty Matt Harris (4-5, 6.11 ERA in 11 Starts) and career reliever Colby Lewis (no MLB stats since 2007). With so many youngsters trying to break into the Major Leagues in a notorious hitter’s park, there will likely be a lot of crooked numbers next to the opponent’s name on the scoreboard in 2010. Needless to say, this rotation doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence.
BULLPEN
The bullpen picture is much rosier, thanks largely to the presence of fireballing closer Frank Francisco (3.83 ERA, 25 Saves), whose 2009 numbers were skewed by an unhealthy stretch run. He’ll be supported in the late innings by lefty setup man C.J. Wilson (2.81 ERA, 14 Saves in 71 Games), who is more than capable of closing games himself as evidenced by his 52 Saves over the past three seasons.
The rest of the bullpen is an interesting mix. Former Orioles closer Chris Ray is now two seasons removed from Tommy John surgery and should be a major addition if he can come close to top form. Meanwhile, the rest of the group is very impressive, headlined by youngster Nefalti Perez (1.74 ERA in 20 Games), veteran long reliever Darren Oliver (5-1, 2.71 ERA in 63 Games), submariner Darren O’Day (1.84 ERA in 68 Games) and 2009 2 nd half stalwart Doug Mathis (3.16 ERA in 24 Games). Expect this talented bullpen to get a lot of work in 2010 as they have to relieve a very young and inexperienced rotation.
INFIELD
After reading about concerns on the pitching staff, Texas fans have to feel relieved when reading about their excellent infield. 3 rd Baseman Michael Young (.322, 22 HR, 68 RBI, 174 Hits, .374 OBP) is one of the best hitters in the game and should continue his excellent run production in 2010. Meanwhile, young shortstop Elvis Andrus’ (.267, 6 HR, 40 RBI, .329 OBP) defensive prowess and surprising plate performance as a rookie was the impetus for longtime shortstop Young’s move to 3 rd. Expect 21 year old Andrus to improve in his 2 nd season in the big leagues.
The other half of the infield is also excellent, led by 2 nd Baseman Ian Kinsler (.253, 31 HR, 86 RBI, 31 SB, 101 R, .327 OBP), who is one of the best at his position in baseball. He’ll play next to young 1 st Baseman Chris Davis (.238, 21 HR, 59 RBI in 113 Games), who endured a difficult sophomore slump in the 1 st half last season before flashing his big power potential in the 2 nd half. He has ability to hit 30 Homers for the Rangers this year and should have a significantly stronger season in 2010.
The only position that is up for grabs on the infield is at catcher, where high-ceilinged offensive prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.233, 9 HR, 34 RBI in 84 Games) and defensive guru Taylor Teagarden (.217, 6 HR, 24 RBI in 60 Games) are locked in a Spring Training battle. Ideally, Saltalamacchia’s potential will finally be realized (he was the centerpiece of 2007’s Mark Teixiera trade) and provide strong numbers from behind the plate but the simple truth is that neither man has produced on an everyday basis in the big leagues and catcher is clearly the position of concern on an otherwise excellent infield.
OUTFIELD
There is no better story in baseball than the redemption of leftfielder Josh Hamilton (.268, 10 HR, 54 RBI, .315 OBP in 89 Games), who overcame a serious drug addiction to become one of baseball’s elite run producers in 2008. Thus, it seems highly likely that an injury-riddled 2009 will be too much for him to bounce back from and it would be a surprise if he was anything short of excellent in 2010. In his absence, rightfielder Nelson Cruz (.260, 33 HR, 76 RBI, 20 SB, .332 OBP) established himself as a big time slugger and young centerfielder Julio Bourbon (.312, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 19 SB, .376 OBP) announced his big league arrival down the stretch to give the Rangers a very talented outfield. What’s more, former Angel Vladimir Guerrero (.295, 15 HR, 50 RBI, .334 OBP in 100 Games) is expected to serve as Designated Hitter and primary backup at the corner outfield positions with the intent to keep the ageing former superstar as healthy as possible. Along with the contributions of David Murphy (.269, 17 HR, 57 RBI, .338 OBP), Guerrero will provide excellent depth and there is no doubt that this outfield is primed for a big year in 2010.
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OUTLOOK
The Rangers have long had the reputation of being extremely effective offensively and extremely underwhelming on the mound. Unfortunately, that stereotype appears ready to play out yet again in Arlington in 2010. There is no doubt whatsoever that the Rangers are going to score a ton of runs thanks to a vicious lineup from top to bottom but their starting rotation is either highly unproven or injury prone (Harden has never pitched a fully healthy season in his entire career). Putting it bluntly, teams simply don’t contend without a solid pitching staff. The Rangers’ staff woes will also tax their talented bullpen and that will also limit their effectiveness. In short, expect the Rangers to continue winning ballgames 6-5 but their pitching deficiency will ultimately lead them to take a step back from 2009 and only win 80 games while finishing 3 rd in the AL West.
By Matt Baxendell
MLBcenter.com Staff Writer
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