Ryan’s Rebounding, Rebuilding Rangers

Nolan Ryan, the former major league pitcher, recognizes the Rangers are in a rebuilding and rebounding phase. New pitching coach, Mike Maddux, was hired to be the central figure in Texas. The Rangers’ pitching reeks, and always has been the team’s downfall. Manager, Ron Washington, is stressing strong fielding as another general principle focus this Spring. The sloppy play performances as of late for the Rangers won’t float in the American League. One significant switch occurring earlier in the winter was Michael Young’s transition from shortstop to third base. Texas’ commitment to their young shortstop prospect, Elvis Andrus, has created a stirring and stimulating Spring storyline. Young was reluctant to move at first and took offense to the notion of making the transition to the hot corner. The All-Star shortstop finally conceded his position to the 20 year old Caracas, Venezuela native. The Rangers were quiet and did not swing too many off-season deals. They play in one of the league’s hitter-friendly parks and that only hurts their pitching staff more. The announcements of arrivals Derrick Turnbow and Eddie Guardado off the free agent market were relatively immaterial. The most imperative trade was catcher, Gerald Laird, to Detroit. Because Texas has depth at catcher, it was not a huge loss. It also opens up the competition between Jarrod Saltalamacchi and Taylor Teagarden for the starting backstop. In addition to Laird, the Rangers also parted ways with two right-handed pitchers, Kameron Loe and Jamey Wright, and the malcontent but competent outfielder, Milton Bradley. Bradley signed with the Cubs this winter.
Ryan is a great influence and a hailed hero in Texas. He remains focused on delivering the goods pitching-wise and emphasizing durability. Nolan has spent a sizable amount of time of on team development, maturity and bondage. The rotation is comprised of two veterans Kevin Milwood and Vincente Padilla. Both rightys need to give the Rangers more innings and step up as the number one and two arms, respectfully. Millwood’s production last year was awful and he only won 9 games for Texas. It was Kevin’s worst season as a Ranger. He needs to rebound and find his form. Millwood had 16 wins in 2006 and 10 wins in 2007. He isn’t the same pitcher he once was in Atlanta, but can give solid outings with enough run support. Padilla, the 31 year old, had a winning 14-8 record in 2008. His 4.7 ERA was average and his homerun total was too high. Consistency can definitely improve for Vincente, although he doesn’t walk many batters so his control is respectable. The Rangers have question marks at the middle and back-end of their rotation. Brandon Mcarthy has a devastating slurve, but has been ineffective as a Texas starter. The above-average pitch won’t be a winning formula unless Brandon actually takes the mound. He only threw 22 innings last year because he couldn’t stay on the field. If McCarthy’s health comes into question again, it could pave the way for the team’s top prospects, Derek Holland or Neftali Feliz. Scott Feldman is expected to join the party when the season kicks off in Arlington. Feldman was surprisingly reliable last year and could be the third starter. Scott was the team’s best pitcher and threw the most innings. In 151 innings, Feldman’s ERA was 5.29. The 26 year old doesn’t have the stuff to be an ace and he doesn’t strike out many hitters. But, he’s good enough to start and if he eats innings in 2009, Texas should be able to win some games with his arm. Left-hander, Matt Harrison, has a grand total of 90 days in the majors. The youngster is part of the mix for Washington’s inept pitching staff though. The 9-3 2008 record is promising and the Rangers are hopeful Matt will mature this summer.
The Texas bullpen welcomes back closers, C.J. Wilson and Frank Francisco. Each has success pitching in the closer role last year. Wilson is a lefty who amassed 24 saves but Francisco has the inside track because he is more effective in the final innings. The security of the two should benefit Texas’ relief effort during the season. Francisco has a good ERA to go along with a tight fastball. Wild Wilson I like for some reason despite his inconsistency and erratic statistics. He would be better suited to set up Francisco. Texas should seek to add relievers near the trade deadline if they want a half-chance at winning the AL West. The Angels and A’s both have better and more productive overall staffs, and better fielders. Righty, Joaquin Benoit is one of the Rangers’ long-relievers. However, the durable Benoit will miss half the season with a torn rotator cuff. Turnbow, or three other rightys on the roster, will replace him. Warner Madrigal, Josh Rupe and Dustin Nippert are all unproven which is why Turnbow was a good addition. Rupe was 3-1 in 46 games last year, Nippert went 3-5 in 20 games, and Madrigal pitched 36 innings with no wins and two losses. I like the Wheeling, W.V. native, Nippert, to be the leading candidate for long-relief, assuming he is not injured. Guardado is a fragile lefty but he gets the job done more often than not. Perhaps the two prospects waiting in the wings, Feliz and Holland, will get late season call ups to provide relief aid.
Texas’ effort at the plate is their greatest asset, especially at home. Outfielder, Josh Hamiliton, had a career, all-star, season in 2008. He was arguably the first-half league MVP. Josh bats third and plays right field. He clubbed 32 homeruns, batted .304 and batted in a whopping 130 last year. This Spring, Josh is hitting over .400 and his work ethic is excellent. The outlook for Hamilton is good because he’s a player playing in his prime at age 27. Josh has the physique and physical strength and traits of a major leaguer. Because Hamilton and hammering Hank Blalock are both left-handed, Washington will probably slate to RF Nelson Cruz to hit cleanup. DH Blalock is the preferable choice with his good attitude and solid bat. He won’t see a lot of time at 3B with Young being the Gold Glove caliber infielder. But Hank is also sidelined with soreness this Spring that has hindered his play the past two seasons. Blalock has to get back on track and that will only happen with more plate time and good health. Young will likely hit second behind Ian Kinsler. Young is one of my favorite players in baseball. I consider him one of the most dexterous fielders and he can also lace the ball. He is used to batting cleanup and playing shortstop so it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the new position on the field and the order. The career .300 hitter is good for at least 100 runs each year with his speed. The Rangers can do more on the bases with Michael hitting higher in the order. Kinsler plays second base and as a leadoff hitter, has excessive power. Kinsler’s improvement last year was indicative in his .319 average and 18 homeruns. He strikes out more often than he walks, which is usually a problem for the number one hitter. But Ian is young enough to improve and practice patience now. He’s a tall, big kid with a bright future and good makeup. Marlon Byrd and David Murphy could platoon the LF position. Byrd is a middle of the order slugger and could see time at DH when Blalock sits. He isn’t a quality starting player although has the ability to hit for a high average. Byrd is reliable in late inning and pinch hitting situations. Murphy is a nice lefty bat for Texas who could see quality time against right-handed pitchers. He went to Baylor and was born in Houston. Chris Davis, Saltalamacchia and Andrus are the bottom three hitters in the Ranger lineup. First baseman Davis is very young but has power potential. He had 17 long balls and 51 runs in his 295 at-bat rookie season last year. Davis has extra-base hit promise too. Saltalamacchia’s glove is valuable and his stick sturdy. Jarrod won’t hit a lot of homeruns nor will he have a low strikeout total. The 23 year old does provide a solid catcher and can give the Rangers at least 100 games.
On the bench for the rebounding Rangers are veteran infielder, Omar Vizquel and utility player, Max Ramirez. Ramirez can play the infield, DH and be the teams’ third string catcher if he makes the team. Travis Metcalf is an infield reserve player competing in camp this Spring too. Vizquel is Washington’s primary utility man and has one of the best gloves in recent history at the shortstop position. The 41 year old should prove a commodity to young Andrus at short. Teagarden is expected to split time with Saltalamacchia and will add to the Rangers’ deficient bench.
No one is expecting the Rangers to run away with any division titles. That may be the motivating factor for a team on the rebound. Hamilton and Blalock are team leaders and Vizquel adds a much-needed all-star veteran to the clubhouse. Texas did sign the former promising pitcher, Kris Benson, to a minor league deal. If Benson can get his act together, he could be the x-factor for a winning Texas season. The fielding was given a pass to the mediocre pitching in 2008, but perhaps it was the most important reason the Rangers missed the playoffs. Their error total needs to be reduced and the hitters need to keep their averages on the high end. Ryan has this team composed to players ready to prove themselves but it might not be enough to actually win ballgames. The offense does not have one guy who really tears the cover off the ball but there are certain guys who can make statements offensively. I can see the Rangers making a late playoff push but expect they will stall at the start of the season. The temperamental tossers and slapdash sluggers spell disaster down South.

Parting points: Book off my shelf: A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway
Song for the day: “Here in Your Bedroom”- Goldfinger