Texas Rangers
2010 Record: 90-72
820 RS, 708 RA, Pythagorean Record: 93-69
Manager: Ron Washington
GM: Jon Daniels
Free Agents:
Adrian Beltre, 3B (6, $96MM); Arthur Rhodes, RP (1O, $3.9MM; $4MM Vesting Option); Yoshinori Tateyama, RP (1O, TBD; TBD Option); Yorvit Torrealba, C (2, $6.25MM); Matt Treanor, C (1, $850k)*; Brandon Webb, SP (1, $3MM).
* Treanor was traded at the end of spring training to the Royals.
Minor League FA:
Travis Adair, SS; Erold Andrus, OF; Brian Barden, 3B; Yhency Brazoban, P; Dave Bush, P; Kevin Cash, C; Endy Chavez, OF; Doug Deeds, OF; Robinson Diaz, C; Adalberto Flores, P; Esteban German, 3B; Kevin Gunderson, P; Derek Hankins, P; Cephas Howard, P; Zach Jackson, P; Matt Kata, 2B; Barret Loux, P; Seth McClung, P; Chris Mobley, P; Brad Nelson, 1B; Rougned Odor, SS; Hirotoshi Onaka, OF; Omar Quintanilla, SS; Guilder Rodriguez, SS; Jose Ruiz, 1B; Salvador Sanchez, OF; Elio Sarmiento, C; Ty Taubenheim, P; Brett Tomko, P; Nick Urbanus, 2B.
Rule V Pick:
None
Trades:
Received Ryan Kelly (P) from the Athletics from Guillermo Moscoso (P); Received Mike Napoli (C) from the Blue Jays for Frank Francisco (P); Received Mason Tobin, P from the Cubs for cash.
Waiver Claims:
None
Players Lost:
Brandon Boggs, OF; Joe Bonadonna, OF; Matt Brown, 3B; Sam Brown, P; Vicente Cafaro, 2B; Jorge Cantu, 1B; Travis Chick, P; Jesus Colome, P; Alex Cora, 2B; Willie Eyre, P; Jeff Francoeur, OF; Emerson Frostad, C; Ryan Garko, 1B; Vladimir Guerrero, DH; Johnny Gunter, P; Christian Guzman, SS; Clayton Hamilton, P; Rich Harden, P; Nathan Haynes, OF: Hernan Iribarren, 2B; Andy Jenkins, 3B; Cliff Lee, P; Daniel Lima, 2B; Warner Madrigal, P; Doug Mathis, P; Brandon McCarthy, P; Bengie Molina, C; Dustin Nippert, P; Jason Ogata, 2B; Darren Oliver, P; Gregorio Petit, SS; Mark Prior, P; Elizardo, Ramirez, P; Max Ramirez, C; Kevin Richardson, C; Michael Schlact, P; Willy Taveras, OF; Aaron Thompson, P; James Tomlin, OF.
Top 15 Prospects
1. Martin Perez, LHP
2. Jurickson Profar, SS
3. Tanner Scheppers, RHP
4. Robbie Erlin, LHP
5. Engel Beltre, OF
6. Mike Olt, 3B
7. Robbie Ross, LHP
8. Neil Ramirez, RHP
9. Jake Skole, OF
10. Barret Loux, P
11. Kellen Deglan, C
12. Miguel de los Santos, LHP
13. Wilmer Font, RHP
14. Luis Sardinas, SS
15. Wilfredo Boscan, P
I think the Rangers system is a little overrated. Sure, Martin Perez is the real deal, even if he struggled last season from playing in a league where he was one of the youngest guys. I also like Jurickson Profar, but after that I’m weary of a lot of the players. Tanner Scheppers will be a reliever at best, and I wouldn’t be surprised he can’t handle closing; he might get his shot if they move Neftali Feliz to the rotation.
2010 Review:
What can be said that we don’t already know? They took one of the weaker divisions by force and surprised everyone by making it to the World Series.
Feliz was one of the highlights, as he didn’t sweat being a rookie closer. Many have said they don’t think he has the ability to be a starter, so he could stick here. The rotation didn’t need him though, as mid-season acquisition Cliff Lee did wonders for them. Add in former-reliever C.J. Wilson and the recently returned from Japan Colby Lewis, and that’s a fine front of the rotation.
The team did miss on free agent signing Rich Harden, who was ineffective when healthy; he ended up being released by the end of the season.
MVP Josh Hamilton continued his impressive story of redemption while missing some time. If you look at his splits, he was definitely aided by his home ball park. Even still, he put up some amazing numbers; as did teammates Vladimir Guerrero, Michael Young, and Nelson Cruz. Guerrero continued to own the Ballpark at Arlington, as he had when visiting with the Angels.
2011 Preview:
The killer of the off season was losing ace Lee to the Phillies; they were in the hunt until Lee’s old team swept in at the last minute to pluck him away. The team then shifted focus away from pitching to hitting.
The prize of the off season was Adrian Beltre, who should fit in fine with the team. He’s an upgrade at third and will shift Young to the DH spot vacated by Guerrero..
The key to the season will be the continued development of Julio Borbon. Borbon could be the perfect tablesetter for the team and would take some pressure off Cruz, Young, Hamilton, and Beltre if he can get on base and rule the base paths.
From the Bloggers:
Steve Helsing, World Series 41, Rangers Fan 1: For the first time in history, the Texas Rangers come into a season as the defending American League Champions. With that success come burning questions: Will that very success spoil the team and put them on cruise control? Will Michael Young’s situation spoil the clubhouse chemistry? Can the Rangers do it without Cliff Lee?
Based on numbers alone, Texas looks to easily have the most formidable offensive line-up in the AL West. The pieces that have been put together for 2011 are designed to compete well against left-handed starters, which is good since that’s what the A’s will be throwing at them four out of five times. This is as sound a defensive team as the Rangers have ever fielded with the addition of Adrian Beltre at third. The bullpen is also on sound footing, with quality options from long relief to Neftali Feliz closing ‘em out.
The big if is the Rangers starting five. If Colby Lewis and CJ Wilson can duplicate what they did in 2010, Texas should be in good shape. Even then, 2011 is the year Derek Holland has to step it up and become the starter the Rangers have envisioned him to be. If Brandon Webb can come back from two years of injuries to even 75% of his old self, that would be icing on the cake. Long story short: As long as the offense produces, this club is more than capable of successfully defending the West. Whether they have the horses for a repeat trip to the Series is anyone’s guess.
Prediction:
1st Place