30 Teams in 30 Days: Day 6 – Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers, American League Champions from a year ago, are out to improve on their stellar finish.  They have lost Cliff Lee to free agency and failed to sign any legitimate ace to fortify their rotation.  With the addition of Adrian Beltre, the Rangers have further improved a lineup that was already the American League’s best (.276 avg).  Without a top pitcher in the rotation can the Rangers repeat as AL Champions and come away with that elusive World Series ring?

Projected Lineup:

1. Elvis Andrus (SS)
2. Michael Young (DH)
3. Ian Kinsler (2B)
4. Josh Hamilton (LF)
5. Adrian Beltre (3B)
6. Nelson Cruz (RF)
7. Mitch Moreland (1B)
8. Mike Napoli (C)
9. Julio Borbon (CF)

Projected Rotation:

• C.J. Wilson
• Colby Lewis
• Brandon Webb
• Tommy Hunter
• Derek Holland

Strengths:

Josh Hamilton: The outfielder won the AL MVP, Batting Title, and Silver Slugger a year ago and was by far the games best player for the 133 games he played.  Hamilton (.359 Avg) also lead the league in Slugging Percentage and OPS.  The guy can flat play and as long as he stays healthy, there’s nothing opposing pitchers can do but watch one of the game’s best.

Lineup: The Rangers have an extremely impressive lineup surrounding Hamilton with additional power threats coupling with the speedy Julio Borbon and Elvis Andrus. Nelson Cruz looks to repeat 2009 when he hit 33 HR and stole 20 bases while Ian Kinsler should remind us again that he is one of the game’s top second basemen.

Clubhouse:  Manager Ron Washington held a tight clubhouse last year and created an environment that was fun for his players as they won the AL West easily.  This team gets along extremely well – something far too often overlooked as these players spend most of eight months together. A happy team wins more games.

Weaknesses:

Where’s Lee?: Cliff Lee is no longer a Ranger and that could be incredibly dangerous for a team looking to win in the postseason.  The Rangers have no true ace and although C.J. Wilson is a very good pitcher, he is better suited in a support (No. 2) role.  Side note: I haven’t seen a Bruce Lee movie in forever.  That is a man who could fight.  Not this Jackie Chan/Rush Hour bologna.

Colby Lewis is their Second Best Starter!: That is not a good thing for a team looking to win the pennant.  The Rangers did bring in Brandon Webb (He of the CY Young in 2006 and second place finishes in 2007 and 2008).  We forget how good this guy was and may still be after recovering from shoulder surgery in August 2009.  Tommy Hunter is an average Major League No. 4 starter.  The final rotation spot is a bit worse off.  Things have gotten so bad that the Rangers are giving closer Neftali Feliz an opportunity to start.

Injuries:  The Rangers were ravaged by injuries a year ago and look to avoid the injury bug this summer.  Hamilton missed 29 games with an oblique injury,  Nelson Cruz has yet to play more than 128 games in a season in his five year career, and Ian Kinsler missed over 40 games with ankle and groin issues.  Should these players continue to prove fragile, I doubt owner Nolan Ryan would be too happy.

Storylines:

Michael Young:  The even tempered, professional hitter has expressed his desire for a trade.  At age 33, the Rangers have him slotted for DH after Vlad Guerero left via free agency.  Young feels betrayed and wants out. There are plenty of suiters for the 3B/2B who hit .322 last year.  This is the top trade piece on the market currently and the Rangers may want to wait for a team to become desperate as the season draws nearer before making their move.  The Rangers could use Young in a trade to help fortify their suspect rotation.

Feliz to the Rotation:  Should Neftali Feliz provide the necessary help at the back end of the rotation, a major whole is left in the bullpen.  I’m not sold on the Rangers giving him a real shot at starting.  I see this escapade more as a ploy to appease their young player who had dreams of starting.

Prediction:

94-68 First Place, AL West.  The Rangers steamrolled the AL West a year ago and coasted to the playoffs with 90 wins and a nine game lead over second place Oakland.  The West will be far more competitive this year as the small market A’s see their window opening and have made some moves to compete now while, the Angels never stay uncompetitive for long.  Because of the competition, I see the Rangers winning more games and being more interested in September outcomes.  Their chances in the playoffs look poor with the current roster but with potential moves between now and October,  Texas may soon get its first World Series ring.

Bold Prediction:

• Ian Kinsler stays healthy, plays 152 games and joins the 40-40 club.
• Adrian Beltre remembers it is not the walk year of his contract and wholly underperforms.  This is not bold; it is likely to happen.  Why did the Rangers give him a multi-year deal again?
• Brandon Webb is healthy again and throws 212 innings with a sub-3.00 ERA.
• Michael Young is traded to the Rockies for prospect Tyler Matzek and Jhoulys Chacin and some low level talent who turns into the next Neftali Feliz… Stupid Texiera trade.

And Now for Something Completely Different:

I can’t decide how I feel about the article I posted yesterday about drinking in baseball.  I love the game and question how the experience would change for fans without a cold beer on a mid-summer’s day.  Post some comments over there.

The Tennessee Lady Vols won a rain shortened game.  They were playing basketball.

I thought the new “The Office” was really funny.

Its important to keep up with current events.

Do You have Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

As always send comments, question, or concerns to [email protected].

-Sean Morash