Texas Rangers

[YosemiteSam]

This is the year I expect the rebuilding processes to payoff with a playoff birth. I believe this is the pivotal year for Ron Washington. He was brought in with the idea that he was a coach that preached fundamentals, pitching and defense. Which makes it odd that the Rangers were last in the league in defense the last two year and last in pitching in '08 and 4th worst ERA in '07 under Washington!

:bang2:

This year I fully expect the Rangers to make the playoffs and are at least middle of the pack in defense and hopefully pitching. If that isn't the case, not only would I excuse Washington from his post as manager, his exit would be by being fired out of a canon.

Here is to what hopefully will be the first winning season since 1999. :beer1:

 

[jimmy40]

I think the Rangers are going to melt in the Texas heat as usual. It's not even fun going to games there, it's too freaking hot.

 

[ajk23az]

They haven't done ANYTHING to improve their pitching which had a 5.00+ ERA last season.

They have an awesome offense but without ANY sort of pitching talent, they aren't going anywhere, especially in the AL.

Prediction
AL East - Red Sox
AL Central - Twins
AL West - Angels
Wild Card - Rays

NL East - Mets
NL Central - Cubs
NL West - Dodgers
Wild Card - Phillies

 

[YosemiteSam]

They haven't done ANYTHING to improve their pitching which had a 5.00+ ERA last season.

They have done a lot. Some of the talent is still in the minors, but the biggest thing they did (Nolan did anyhow) is stop letting them be fat out of shape slobs. That is why they have been riddled with injuries and couldn't go very deep into games.

I can't wait to see this Neftali Feliz kid hit the pros.

 

[ajk23az]

Yeah, he is supposed to be a stud. But still, not too many kids that come up from the minors halfway through the season or even 3/4 the way through, make that much of a difference.

The Rangers pitching staff is not good. It is bad when Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla are the #1 & 2. Millwood never can stay healthy, EVER. And Padilla is so inconsistent, throws great one game, then goes into a 3 start slump and loses all of them. I like Matt Harrison, hes a good young pitcher but am not too excited about Feldman, McCarthy, Hurley as being season long starters.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Yeah, he is supposed to be a stud. But still, not too many kids that come up from the minors halfway through the season or even 3/4 the way through, make that much of a difference.

I don't want to see him until he has a slider and at least a curve or a changeup to go along with that 100mph fastball. Even with a rocket arm, you still need three pitches to be a starting pitcher.

 

[DIAF]

Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland will be getting starts by mid-season. Rangers have all kinds of pitching prospects in the minors, those two including Blake Beaven, Michael Main, and Kasey Kiker and that Perez kid. Feliz and Holland are both legitimate #1 starter prospects, while Main and Beaven look like they might be #1/2s. Kiker and Beaven could be converted to closers. Add to that Matt Harrison who is already here (and projects as a 3-4 starter) and in two years the Rangers rotation could look really, really nice. But, none of that can save this year. Even if half these guys pan out and are as good as advertised, the rotation prospects for 2011 and beyond looks to be fantastic.