My Texas Rangers Overview

With the 2007 regular season under wraps for the Texas Rangers a few things have become evident for next year. But, watching this year's team all season long I've made a few observations and I can only hope the team will make the right decisions resulting in the playoffs for next year.

MANAGER

Ron Washington had a very rough first two months dropping as far as 20 games below .500. But he kept the team fighting. He developed the younger players. He led the team to an amazing second half run, although it won't result in the playoffs this year. This "player's manager" is exactly what the Rangers needed and the all-around respect for the man has pushed the players to even higher expectations of themselves.



CATCHER

Obviously this will become most likely the position battle of the year for the Rangers and what happens here will determine much of the rest of the positions. Incumbent Gerald Laird looks to become the starter for the second straight season after losing the last two years to the ex-Ranger Rod Barajas. However, the trade of Mark Teixeira brought in young phenom Jarrod Saltalamacchia who not only plays first base, but also catcher. There were whispers at the trade deadline of Laird going to the Cubs but it never came to fruition. I think trading Laird is not the answer. He obviously hasn't been able to handle the full catching duties by himself and his bat has suffered when it was such a powerful force when he and Barajas provided the catching tandem. My solution is to make Saltalamacchia the starting catcher and have Laird relieve him a few days a week, much like the Barajas-Laird tandem worked. That way, Salty is able to be in the lineup everyday whether at catcher, first base or DH and Laird is rested enough to keep his bat lively. Of course Laird won't like being passed up by a younger catcher, but he has to realize what's best for the team is not always best for an individual.



FIRST BASE

The vacancy at first base left by Teixeira's trade to Atlanta helped in two ways: we got Salty and Brad Wilkerson found a regular place in the everyday lineup. Now, I've never been a fan of Wilkerson until this year when he just grew on me. He's been a huge disappointment coming over from the Nationals in the Soriano trade, but former GM John Hart was an idiot to make that trade. Wilkerson is valuable in his own right but he will always be compared to Alfonso Soriano because of that trade. Well now Wilky is in a walk year. Personally, I don't know what the Rangers are going to do because obviously the only big name on the free agent market is Sean Casey. Casey's numbers are fairly good, typically a .300 with minimal homeruns and lots of RBI's, but I think if they resigned Wilky they could get almost that much production for less. The Rangers lack a big bat in the middle of the lineup with the departure of Tex, but Sean Casey is not the answer. He is merely a hitter for average and will not bring the power the Rangers are looking for. Wilky is a cheaper fix, plus with the development of Saltalamacchia, Salty will be able to fill in for Wilkerson and perhaps he can provide a huge bat for the lineup.


SECOND BASE

Obviously this position has been sewn up since the 2006 season when Ian Kinsler made a run at Rookie of the Year. He started out with a fiery April, going neck and neck with Alex Rodriguez for most homeruns in the American League. I believe he ended up with 14. But since then, he hasn't even matched that total and his average dropped. However, the last couple of months have seen the Kid pick up his average from a low .200 to nearing .275. That alone shows the Kid is learning what it takes to adjust to the pitching in the major leagues. His defense, I think, is above par and there is absolutely no question his place at second base will be locked up come next season.


SHORTSTOP

Similarly, Michael Young, one of the most underrated players in baseball, is still chugging along and filling a huge hole up the middle. His defense and bat are way above average, but his power numbers dropped this year. It's still unsure as to why his power dropped and it could have been caused by the early season slump he went into. Nevertheless, he brought his average up to the usual above .300 and is close to adding another 200-hit season.



THIRD BASE

What once was a solidified position for the Rangers has become a revolving door for players this season. Washington worked with Hank Blalock to build up his defense again and it looked like the work would pay off until Hank needed shoulder surgery early in the season. He's barely started making his way back into the lineup but not at third base because of his shoulder injury. Could it linger next year? Hopefully not. Blalock...a healthy Blalock is the answer at third base and if he should go down again, the Rangers may have a quick fix again next year in Ramon Vazquez. While not the prototypical third baseman, Vazquez has proved to be fairly reliable this year. Young Travis Metcalf is also a candidate for third base should Blalock go down again, but Metcalf still needs to develop his bat in the minor leagues. He proved he can play in the big leagues, he just can't hit in the big leagues.


LEFT FIELD

I think Frank Catalanotto has proven himself in left field and as a leadoff hitter. While he may need to be lifted for a defensive replacement later on in games, he's still an asset to have in left field. However, I'm sure the Rangers want him platooning in left field next year to keep his old self fresh, so a lot of what happens in left field depends on what goes on in center field.




CENTER FIELD

The Rangers are in the market for a center fielder in the offseason and the candidates couldn't be better. Andruw Jones. Aaron Rowand. Mike Cameron. Corey Patterson. Torii Hunter. There are only two names on that list of free agent center fielders I would consider: Hunter and Rowand. Hunter has publicly said he would like to come back home and play for the Rangers and we would sure welcome him. He's a gold glove center fielder who has a little pop in his bat. He would make a perfect sixth hitter behind Blalock and he would definitely fill the defensive gap left open from Gary Matthews Jr.'s departure a year ago. On the other hand, Rowand is a gritty player. Most remember him for running into the gate in center field for the Phillies and breaking his nose. He's a tough SOB and while his bat isn't as good as Hunter's I think he would be a great fit in a Ron Washington clubhouse. I'm sure teams will overpay for Jones, who is having a horrible year this year and I flat don't think Cameron or Patterson are as good as our in-house options. Hunter will command a huge contract which makes me wary of the worth. Yes he is a proven player, but he's also on the down slope of his career. With Minnesota GM Terry Ryan now gone, I wonder if the Twins will open up their pocketbooks to keep their star as they prepare to move out of the Metrodome and into their new stadium. I'm personally rooting for the Rangers to sign Rowand so he can teach this team a little something about leaving everything out on the field and playing with a fire. If neither player is signed, David Murphy or Marlon Byrd would likely take over center field. It would most likely be Byrd, who kind of reminds me of an Andruw Jones, which would relegate Murphy to right field.

RIGHT FIELD

It's going to be either Murphy or Byrd depending on if the Rangers sign a center fielder in the offseason. Whichever way they may decide to take this position, they should be pretty solid. Although there are fears Murphy might not match his totals this year over a full season or Byrd will once again dive into a player whose potential was not fully met (like after his rookie season with the Phillies), they will be risks that the Rangers should be willing to take.



DESIGNATED HITTER

It'll be Jason Botts even though I absolutely despise him. He just doesn't look like a ballplayer. He killed at Triple-A this year, but it has yet to translate to the big leagues after a month and a half. Sure he's on a roll now but I'm not sold and neither should the Rangers be. I'd go out on a limb and resign Sammy Sosa and make him my full time DH and let Botts ride the bench.




BENCH

The bench is pretty solid. Not many complaints. I'd like to keep Jerry Hairston Jr. and Ramon Vazquez because both are really solid. Hopefully Sammy gets resigned and Botts stays here too. There are talks of Sammy wanting to come back and Washington wanting him back but it all hinges on how much money we are willing to pay him and whether or not he would be holding up a spot for a much more deserving homegrown talent. I say, nay I yell: KEEP SAMMY!



STARTING PITCHING

Washington has said there are three slots in the rotation reserved for Millwood, Padilla and McCarthy. I'd agree since Millwood and Padilla have some of the biggest contracts on the team and it would be a waste of money for them not to be there. McCarthy hasn't been completely healthy, but I'm sure he'll shake off the bugs and come back strong next year. There's been talk of Padilla being traded though because of his clubhouse presence. Just because a guy doesn't talk to the media and hits batters left and right doesn't mean he should be let go. I applauded Padilla for hitting Vlad in 2006 and Swisher this year because it got the Rangers to show a little life in them when they emptied the benches. Plus, it sets up more intense rivalries between our West Division foes. The Yankees and Red Sox rivalry didn't get where it is today by simply playing against each other. There's bad blood there and we need some too. The other two rotation spots are up for grabs. I'd personally pencil in Edinson Volquez who after a nearly yearlong demotion to the minor leagues has come back and pitched with a fury to regain a spot. The other slot would definitely go to Kason Gabbard, the lefty brought in from the Red Sox in the Gagne trade. I have been absolutely been blown away by the success of Gabbard and Murphy who both came in the Gagne trade and I think he'll be a fixture in the rotation. For one: we need a lefty. Two: he's good enough to be a fourth or fifth starter. This would leave out a few deserving candidates such as Kameron Loe, possibly Eric Hurley who may have one more year in the minors, Mike Wood, John Rheinecker and A.J. Murray.

LONG RELIEF

Since we'd probably need two long relievers, I'd stick with Mike Wood and Kameron Loe who have both proven they have enough to solidify this portion of the bullpen. However, Loe had to be shut down early for the season due to injury but hopefully it wasn't too serious. If Loe is unable to perform at the beginning of next year the Rangers will have to go with one of the young kids who has been performing well at the end of the season, such as A.J. Murray, Armando Galarraga or Luis Mendoza. Hell, John Rheinecker could even make a comeback.


MIDDLE RELIEF

One of the strongest parts of the Rangers will return largely intact. I'd assume slots would be given to C.J. Wilson, Frank Francisco and Joaquin Benoit since they have been the ones to solidify the back end of the bullpen. But in relief towards the end of the year they blew saves left and right. Many have attributed this to an extreme amount of innings pitched this year which has led to career highs in innings pitched for Wilson and Benoit. At least this offseason they can prepare for long innings.


CLOSER

No questions. Akinori Otsuka. He proved it last year when Fransisco Cordero was traded and though he's been hurt this year, he'll be back better than ever. If not, Wilson, Fransisco or Benoit can fill in. Actually, there has been questions. Aki had to be shut down for most of this year because of soreness in his forearm. The Rangers are fearing the worst: Tommy John surgery, which would leave Otsuka unavailable for at least a year and a half. They are looking at possible free agent closers to fill this potential void, such as Mariano Rivera (won't leave New York), Francisco Cordero and Eric Gagne (both former Rangers).


My projected 2008 Rangers lineup:

LF Frank Catalanotto
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Michael Young
DH Sammy Sosa
3B Hank Blalock
CF Torii Hunter
RF Marlon Byrd/David Murphy
1B Brad Wilkerson
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia



My 2008 Projected Rangers rotation:

Kevin Millwood
Vicente Padilla
Brandon McCarthy
Kason Gabbard
Edinson Volquez