Texas Rangers: Spring Questions and 40 Games of Answers
The Texas Rangers entered the 2011 season with high hopes. Fresh off of a World Series run that captivated Rangers fans like nothing before, the team appeared ready for another run at glory.
The offseason for the Rangers became a spectacle unlike anything I can ever remember as a fan. First, the Cliff Lee decision to spurn the Rangers didn't come as a huge surprise. The fact that he chose less money to go to the Phillies, did.
Then there was the signing of Adrian Beltre to try and make up for missing out on Lee. Beltre was one of the best players in the game in 2010 and has always been classified as one of the best defensive third basemen since he was a Dodger.
The signing of Beltre set off a chain of events that culminated in the heart and soul of the team: Michael Young requesting a trade stating that management misled him in his role.
They traded set up man Frank Francisco to the Blue Jays for catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli, leading to questions of roles in the bullpen—namely Alexi Ogando, Neftali Feliz and Mark Lowe.
Entering the season the Rangers were surrounded by questions, but have they found any answers?
Michael Young: Role on the Team?
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The biggest offseason story for the Rangers was Michael Young's role on the team and how the team would react amidst trade demands.
There were no questions about Young's professionalism. He had undergone two previous position changes after being asked to accommodate other players and took it in stride, but this was a little different.
Just two seasons removed from a switch to third, management approached Young about another position change—this one to DH and "super utility player." Young, feeling he does not deserve to be relegated to DH duties yet in his career, demands a trade.
Entering spring training, with no trade anywhere in sight, Young sucks it up and embraces the role set out before him. Not once did he bad mouth anyone in the organization once he arrived in Surprise, Arizona.
How has he done? He is third in the AL, fifth in the majors, with a .351 batting average while being tied for first in the majors with 54 hits.
He has played the majority of these games at DH but has played a good bit of infield too. Young is indispensable for this team, almost as much as the next person on our list.
Josh Hamilton: Can He Stay Healthy?
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Quick, name the one thing you did not want to see at the start of the season as a Ranger fan.
If you answered Josh Hamilton in a sling for nearly a month and a half, you would be correct.
The answer to this question happened just ten games into the season on a much disputed head-first slide into home in which Hamilton broke his right arm. Since then, the Rangers have gone from 9-1 and the best record in baseball to 18-18 and in third place in the AL West.
There's no doubting that Hamilton's absence has affected this team, but hope is on the horizon as he is scheduled back in about weeks.
Hamilton was out this year to prove the doubters wrong, the people who said he could not stay healthy. It looks like the doubters win this time around.
Neftali Feliz: Starter or Closer?
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The story that rivaled Michael Young as the talk of spring was what to do with Neftali Feliz. Coming off an impressive rookie campaign in which he won rookie of the year, talks began swirling about what to do with the Rangers prized young arm.
Should he be kept in his closer role, one he obviously feels comfortable in, or be moved into the starting rotation where he could potentially become the ace of the staff.
The decision was made to keep him in his closer role for the time being, but not without consequence. Feliz noticed a substantial drop in velocity early in the season before being placed on the DL with shoulder inflammation. Many wonder if this is from his switch to a starter early in the spring.
Only time will tell what the Rangers do with Feliz, but one thing is for sure: He is a shutdown closer.
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Who Is Going to Be the Fourth and Fiffth Starter?
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The first three rotation spots were basically decided before spring training. It would be C.J. Wilson as the ace, followed by Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter, who all earned their spots from standout performances the year before. The question was: Who would round out the rotation?
The front runners were Derek Holland, Brandon Webb and Matt Harrison. All have seen substantial big league time over the past few years with the exception of Brandon Webb, but due to his history (former Cy Young winner) he was considered the leader of the pack.
The second tier of players competing for the positions were Michael Kirkman, Brett Tomko and Dave Bush. Two were well traveled veterans trying to reestablish themselves on a new team, and the other was a young up-and-comer who performed well in the second half of 2010.
The wild cards of the group were Neftali Feliz and Alexi Ogando. Both with immense talent, they were given the chance to show what they could do at the beginning of a game rather than the end.
Brandon Webb is still on the DL and the second tier players quickly vanished to roles in the bullpen or Round Rock, which left them with Holland, Harrison, Feliz and Ogando. Holland and Harrison got the nod due to experience and their good springs.
Then Tommy Hunter went to the DL. Which leads us to...
Alexi Ogando: Starter or Setup Man?
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With Hunter on the DL, Alexi Ogando was given his chance at starting. The converted outfielder who was caught up in a human trafficking ring just a few years ago is now the fifth starter.
Since being named the guy, Ogando has been the Rangers most consistent pitcher. So far, he is 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA allowing only 29 hits in a little over 43 innings. While this move seems like a resounding success, there have been consequences.
The bullpen last year had a 3.38 ERA; this year it is at a swollen 4.50. Feliz went down early in the season and the man who would have been the ideal fill-in closer, Ogando, was firmly established in the rotation. Darren O'Day and Mason Tobin are currently on the DL, and Mark Lowe is currently pitching to minor leaguers.
It will be interesting to see what happens when Hunter and Webb become healthy but one thing is for sure: Alexi Ogando has proven he can get the job done as a starter.
What Will Happen in the Next 122 Games?
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After a blistering start, the Rangers have slumped to a .500 record. The thought of this being a disappointment compared to the entire history of the franchise is kind of funny, but with a team ready to compete, now it's just not good enough.
The entire starting outfield from opening day is currently on the DL, with Borbon being the newest addition. The bullpen has been a huge disapointment though riddled with injuries, and the offense has stalled at times not supporting good pitching.
One thing is for sure: injuries will heal. MVP Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz are to return in the next two weeks providing some much needed life in a offense that is currently trotting out Endy Chavez and Craig Gentry. Leonys Martin was signed out of Cuba and is impressing at AA Frisco currently. If he continues to produce, a call up later in the season could be expected.
C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis are both pitching well of late and the rise of Alexi Ogando was a much needed good surprise. The bullpen will pitch better—whether or not it will remain intact is another story.
Jon Daniels will make a move at the trade deadline for sure with many bullpen arms available like Heath Bell and Francisco Rodriguez headlining the group.
The Rangers will find that winning feeling again. It's just a matter of when and how.
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