If you're a fan of a Major League Baseball team, the moment your team records its last out, your mind starts to wander towards next season and how to fix all the things that went wrong with the season that just ended.
For Rangers fans, it's the same thing every year. Pitching problems.
If you wander into Ameriquest Field, it's almost comical to look at the banners down the first-base side that read: A.L. West Division Champs 1996, 1998, and 1999. That is it. They have the distinct honor of being the only MLB franchise to not have ever won a playoff series since the team's inception in 1970.
There has got to be a way to right the ship, and for the Rangers, it all starts and ends with pitching.
This past season, the Rangers finished second in the A.L. West, a cool 21-games back from the Angels. Offensive production was no problem. Milton Bradley finished third in the A.L. in batting, and Josh Hamilton has become one of the premier power hitters in all of baseball.
The Rangers scored 901 runs this year, good for first in the majors, and after doing the math, it comes out to a little over 5.5 runs a game. Obviously the bats and firepower have been well addressed, and the team is young and thriving at the plate.
On the flip side of that coin is the pitching. The Rangers gave up a major-league high 967 runs and went through so many starting pitchers I can't even figure out an exact number The "ace" of the staff is Kevin Millwood, who made $10.3 million for his 5.07 ERA and will be turning 34 in a few months.
The good news for Texas fans is that there is a solution. The Rangers have a bevy of young talent behind the plate, and when there's a list of teams that need young catching, now is the best time to parlay that talent into re-energizing the pitching staff.
Currently, the Rangers have FOUR catchers who could start for most major-league teams. Why not trade two of them and pick up two solid starters?
For 2009, name Taylor Teagarden the No. 1 catcher, with Gerald Laird being the backup, then trade Max Ramirez and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The Red Sox, Tigers, and Padres could all improve their team with some young above-average catching.
All the Rangers have to do is trade for an above-average starting pitcher, say a guy like Bronson Arroyo, Kyle Lohse, or, stretching it, Clay Buchholz. Now it's time to hit the free-agent market.
Ignore big-name field players, such as: Carlos Delgado, Mike Cameron, and a washed up Vlad. Go after just one big-name starter who has shown consistency over the years. Among those available target guys like Derek Lowe, Mark Mulder, Jon Garland, or even Ryan Dempster.
After it's all said and done, this is your 2009 starting rotation: Derek Lowe, Vicente Padilla, Kevin Millwood, Bronson Arroyo, and Kasan Gabbard. That is a rotation that can compete! The Rangers also have a promising farm system of pitchers that includes Derek Holland, who pitched four games in the AAA playoffs for Frisco, with an ERA of .069, 29 K's, and zero HRs allowed.
Signing and trading for some veterans while holding on to their top, young, pitch prospects might just be what this organization needs to jump-start their winning ways and shed the franchise's tag of being the only major-league team not to win a playoff series in the past 38 years.
4 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Rory Davis 8 months ago
Michael-
I like the article and I agree with you that the Rangers need to trade some young position player talent, particularly a catcher or two, for some pitching. I agree that you should keep Teagarden for sure, but I might also keep Salty. I agree that theres no reason to go after the Delgados and Vlads of the world. Attracting pitchers to your ballpark is a hard thing to do. Derek Lowe would be perfect for the Rangers in that park because he's a sinker ball guy. I cannot even believe you mentioned the name Mark Mulder...That should be the LAST guy ANYONE goes after, esp. the Rangers. Garland and Demptser would be great fits, but I don't see Dempster leaving Chicago and Garland will go to a bigger market.
Few minor sentence structure changes are needed, with a couple minor errors.
Overall, a great article, and you're off to a good start towards becoming Rangers CL!
-Rory
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Jason Holloway 8 months ago
To think I was almost excited about finding a new website for Rangers news and speculation.
Bronson Arroyo? Not even close to the contractual situation and upside the Rangers are looking for for their young catchers. The objective, Mr. Perez, is not to throw together a hodge-podge staff for 2009 only in hopes of winning a divison series. The Rangers need young, high-ceiling, controllable starters that will continue to improve in hopes of contending soon and World Championships in the future. I realize these pitchers are hard to come by, but thats what they are going to shoot for (think along the lines of Bucholz, Bailey, Cain, Olsen). These are pitchers the Rangers will be talking about, not average middle of the rotation guys. In regards to Derek Lowe, he might be a good fit but only if the Rangers don't overpay him to come here. And you know he'd want a multi-year deal..the Rangers need that rotation spots for a youngster who can develop into a No. 1 or 2 (Holland/Feliz/Main). Next...Kason Gabbard? Really? The guy is always injured and has shown no control and nothing to prove he can be a consistent starter, even a No. 5. Gabbard is a bullpen guy now if anything. Why in the world would you slot Gabbard in there when you have Harrison, Hurley, and Feldman? Do you even watch games Mr. Perez?
And why even mention "big-name field players." Everyone knows the Rangers aren't going after free-agent position players, with the slight exception being Joe Crede or Casey Blake if Blalock leaves or is moved to DH. Also, don't forget Bradley is now a free agent wanting a multi-year deal. He most likely won't be back to help the offense.
Is that it? I think so. Good luck Mr. Perez.
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Michael Peres 8 months ago
First off its Mr. Peres. Secondly, everytime the rangers stock pile new pitchers they trade them (Edinson Volquez and Chris Young). As for Harrison and Hurley I never said trade them, just don't think they are ready yet. Kason Gabbard is not that bad, he had an ERA under 5 and yes he does have a problem staying healthy, but will be fine to start the season next year as the number 5 starter, and if he does get hurt then thats why you have Harrison and Hurley.
As far as the big name field players. We aren't going after them in free agency? Rangers have a horrible track record of going after overrated free agents when they don't need them (Sammy Sosa, Kenny Lofton, and Carlos Lee over the last 2 seasons none of which are still with the team) As for Milton Bradley if he doesn't come back thats fine the offensive production would probably dip a bit but sense they are first in the league I don't think it would be much of a problem.
It's not a hodge podge of pitching for the quick fix there are only 2 new starters. In 2009 if they can sign Lowe and Dempster thats adding 2 quality starters and still keeping the starters they already have. I don't see how thats a "hodge-podge" staff. Secondly, I would love for them to get Bucholz, but considering how the Sox did not want to include him in a deal for Johan I don't see the Sox giving him up.
Lastly, try positive criticism. It's usually more productive and considering there aren't a ton of Rangers fans it would be nice if you didn't slam people for their opinions. If you're going to bash someones article get their name spelled right.
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William Necessary 7 months ago
Id take you more seriously if you knew the actuall name of the ballpark the Rangers play in
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