At Full Strength, the Texas Rangers Seem to be in Cruise Control

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The Texas Rangers have always played third fiddle to the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Mavericks. You may as well consider them the little brother who never really gets noticed by their older siblings.

Enter 2010 and little brother is no longer waiting for big brother to tell him he's doing a good job.

The Rangers disposed of the Tampa Bay Rays followed by shocking the defending champion, New York Yankees, in the ALCS in front of a sold out crowd at Rangers' Ballpark in Arlington. They did all that while the Cowboys and Mavericks watched, wondering why they couldn't have that kind of success.

Although the Mavs tasted it once back in 2006 and are doing so again in 2011, the Dallas Cowboys have "lost that lovin' feeling" since Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith decided to hang 'em up. After 16 seasons the Cowboys had just a single playoff victory.

With the 2011 season into its third month, the Texas Rangers find themselves on top of the AL West and are playing like they were at the beginning of the season.

Of course it doesn't hurt getting Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz, their two big bats in the lineup, back from the disabled list. They were able to tread water for awhile and stay just close enough to make this kind of a run when they were back to full strength.

The only question remaining at this point is what will the team do at the deadline and will they make a move to shore up their bullpen? We have talked a lot about the potential players they could be after and what kind of a deal it might take to land said players.

At this point, with the way the Rangers are playing, they may be able to ride this team right back into the playoffs and maybe back into the ALCS. However, it won't come by offense alone.

You can look at guys like Hamilton, Cruz, Ian Kinsler and Michael Young and imagine the team scoring six or seven runs per game. They have shown all year they can put up crooked numbers night in and night out. That's all well and good but this team will not succeed as they did last year unless their pitching staff and bullpen remain strong.

Starters like ace C.J. Wilson, first year starter Alexi Ogando, or young left hander Matt Harrison have each had their big starts for this team. Wilson has shown that he can be the ace of this staff even after Cliff Lee decided he didn't want to come back to Texas. Opting instead to pitch behind All-Stars Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt, making it look more like the Miami Heat than Philadelphia Phillies.

The Rangers do have lady luck on their side. The American League's Western Division is not nearly as strong as it has been in years past. If the first few months of the season are any indication, the Rangers are a team who could go on a run and put this division in the rear view mirror by the All-Star break.

But before all that can take place, this team needs to take care of business on the field. They need to be able to beat the top team in the American League and not just make a habit of beating up on the bad ones.

For now it's a work in progress. For the future, it's something that still needs to be fixed.

Texas Rangers: For Whom the Heath Bell Tolls

Josh Hamilton has returned and so has Nelson Cruz, but there are still questions surrounding the Texas Rangers and most of them center around the bullpen.

Lately, the one name who has been talked about is San Diego Padres' closer Heath Bell. You might remember me talking about this exact scenario and the players who the Padres might be interested in. Apparently that interest has led the Rangers to call San Diego and inquire about Bell's availability.

According to CBS Sports' Scott Miller, the Rangers are "simply checking their options" as they have also talked to the Pittsburgh Pirates about their closer, Joel Hanrahan. While Bell says he would love to stay in San Diego he also realizes that baseball is a business.



Bob Levey/Getty Images



"I'll give it everything I have for the Padres until the team says otherwise," Bell told the media. "Until Jed [Hoyer, Padres general manager] tells me I'm no longer a San Diego Padre."

The sources I spoke to in early May through out a few possible names the Padres could ask for. One of which seems to intrigue at least a few Padre fans.

Bell signed a one-year $7.5 million contract with the Padres before the beginning of the 2011 season in order to avoid arbitration. To some this might look like another "Cliff Lee trade" when the Rangers sent another infield prospect, Justin Smoak, to the Mariners in return for the ace left-hander.

Lee skipped town as a free agent after the season ended, the same might be said for Heath Bell as he will become a free agent after this season concludes. Dealing away another infield prospect, this time shortstop Jurickson Profar, might come back to bite the team again if Bell heads to greener pastures.

At this point, Profar is blocked by the likes of current shortstop Elvis Andrus and second baseman Ian Kinsler not to mentioned long time Ranger, Michael Young. However, Kinsler is a free agent after the 2013 season and one has to wonder if he will be the team's next Michael Young or if the Rangers will not be willing to give him a long term deal.

Whatever the case may be the Rangers need to solidify their bullpen if they are going to stay in front in the American League's Western Division and make another deep run in the playoffs.

We are just over two months away from the trade deadline but the longer Texas waits to make a deal, the more teams will become involved for Bell. Though you might say the longer they wait there might be more relief pitchers who become available who won't require big time money as free agents.

The Rangers, as of May 28th, are tied with the Los Angeles Angels for first place in the AL West and have tread water to this point. As for the Padres, they currently sit 10 games below .500 and eight games back of NL West leading San Francisco Giants.

While eight games is not completely out of the race, the way this team is built, I don't see them making a move at the deadline to get themselves back into the race. They just don't have the pieces available to chase down the Giants or the Arizona Diamondbacks for that matter.

Rangers' general manager Jon Daniels is taking a wait and see approach to his ballclub and will wait for the perfect deal before he pulls the trigger.

If I'm Daniels, I would keep my radar squarely fixed on Heath Bell and be ready to pull the trigger when San Diego finally waves the white flag of surrender.


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Texas Rangers: Michael Young's No Trade and How to Fix The Rotation, Bullpen

Michael Young’s Full No Trade Clause

Texas Rangers’ super utility guy, Michael Young, will not have to worry about being traded any time soon-if at all.

Young’s 10-and-5 rights kicked in on Saturday May 7^th meaning he has control of if, when and where he’s traded.

You may remember the talk surrounding his impending trade during spring training and even more might remember the Rangers being in serious talks with the Colorado Rockies.

The topic came up again in Denver but was quickly shot down on Twitter by Rockies’ beat writer Troy Renck.

Is there still a chance? Sure. But it would have to be because the team is way out of the race by the trade deadline at the end of July.

Rangers need to upgrade their bullpen, rotation

At the beginning of the 2011 baseball season the Texas Rangers got off to one of their hottest starts in franchise history. It looked like the team was going run away with the American League’s Western Division before the All-Star break even got close.

A few weeks later, the team would lose both outfielder Josh Hamilton and closer Neftali Feliz and the hot start quickly turned ice cold.

While Feliz has returned to the team, the Rangers’ offense has struggled without their MVP in the lineup. Opposing pitchers are not going to pitch other hitters the way they would if they were to face Hamilton in the middle of it.

Left hander Matt Harrison, who was one of the reasons this team was playing so well right off the bat, has struggled with his command over his last few starts. After winning his first three starts, giving up a combined four earned runs, Harrison has lost each of his last four starts giving up a combined 17 earned runs in 17.1 IP.

But he is not the only one wondering if they will ever gain some sort of momentum.

Young right hander Derek Holland has also struggled, giving up 22 earned runs in 29.2 IP including giving up at least five runs in three of his last five starts.

While there aren’t many trades seen at this point in the season, the Rangers need to be looking at their options. They need to make sure they stay within striking distance of the Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Angels. No one is going to run away with the AL West, but the Rangers need to do everything they can to make sure they stay close.

There are two guys who can come in immediately and make an impact in the Rangers’ bullpen, something this team desperately need.

San Diego Padres’ closer Heath Bell and Kansas City Royals’ closer Joakim Soria.

Both players will demand minor leaguers in return but neither are going to require a lot in salary.

If you want to look at the rotation and trying to fix what seems to be broken, there are a few players we can throw out who might be of interest to general manager Jon Daniels.

For those of you who really follow the Rangers and know their minor league system you might have heard the name, Tanner Scheppers.

The former Fresno State standout is one of the top pitching prospects for this franchise and he is a player a lot of fans and media alike have mentioned as someone who might see the big leagues before the end of this season.

If these struggles continue, Scheppers might be called up sooner rather than later. The one thing Daniels and the Rangers need to make absolutely sure of is he is ready for the pressures of being a major league pitcher. If they bring him up and he proves to not be ready, you send him back to Triple-A with his confidence all but shot.

Instead of bringing up an unproven minor league prospect, Daniels can look at guys like Chicago Cubs’ right hander Matt Garza, Baltimore Orioles right hander Jeremy Guthrie, or young Boston Red Sox left hander Clay Buchholz.

There are other names the Rangers will probably look at prior to the trade deadline but they do not need to bring in a veteran type pitcher to make a difference. They bring in a young pitcher who you can control and build around over the next few years.

While it is not time to panic in Arlington just yet, the list of names to look at is going to grow if the bullpen and rotation continue to struggle.

Once Josh Hamilton returns to the lineup, we may see things begin to turn around and the momentum begin to grow. Until then, the Rangers need to at least need to tread water for the next month or more.

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Heath Bell Could be a Permanent Fix to the Texas Rangers' Bullpen

 The Texas Rangers are struggling and it's not just with the rotation, the bullpen has had their problems as well and not just since outfielder Josh Hamilton went down with an injury.

You will hear a lot of the sports talk radio shows talking about how to fix this team and how to "right the ship." We can talk about trades and we can talk about the return of Tommy Hunter and Neftali Feliz. While those two players are great to have back, the Rangers are still waiting for some sort of good news from Brandon Webb who does not look any closer to joining the team.

So how does this team patch up the holes in what seems like a sinking ship? There are a few names we can talk about and some may be a little more far fetched than others.

Let's start with Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. It's not the first time the young reliever's name has come up in trade rumors and it wouldn't be the first time the Red Sox would explore trading him. They aren't off to the kind of start they were hoping for and if their struggles continue maybe they might actually look more seriously at dealing Papelbon for the right return of young minor leaguers.

Another name that could be explored is Kansas City Royals' reliever Joakim Soria. The 27-year old was the only bright spot for the Royals last year, closing out 43 or his 46 save chances last season and finishing the season with a 1.78 ERA in 2010. He was a big name on the rumor sheets not only at the deadline last year but also during this past off season. The Royals weren't able to get a deal done but that doesn't mean they won't be approached again in July.

But if you want a name who can come in and bring the confidence this bullpen needs, look no further than San Diego Padres' closer Heath Bell.

For those of you who love the game of baseball, you know all about this guy. The guy that sprints in from the bullpen and the guy who gets fired up every time he closes out a game. His fiery attitude and closer's mentality is exactly the kind of guy the Texas Rangers need and they need it sooner rather than later.

I talked to two different sources about the possibility of the Rangers going after Bell and what the Padres might ask for in return.

My first assumption was that the Rangers would need to include Michael Young, Chris Davis, and/or star minor league pitcher Tanner Scheppers. But when I talked to these two sources, neither of them brought up any of the three aforementioned names.

So what would the Rangers need to give up to land the Padres' closer? How about outfielder Engle Beltre,left hander Michael Kirkman, shortstop Jurickson Profar, and as one source told me "a David Murphy type player." A four-for-one deal to bring in a guy the Rangers desperately need.

Here is the problem as it stands in early May. Another source close to the Padres told me San Diego would not trade Bell this early in the season no matter how badly the team is struggling right now.

While they might be right because we do not see a lot of trades this early in the season, the Padres aren't going anywhere fast and they know they have little to no chance of retaining Bell for the long term. If general manager Jed Hoyer knows he can get three young minor leaguers and one other player who could possibly have some big league experience already, do you think he pulls the trigger on that deal?

Bringing in another closer to the team does bring up one problem. Does Feliz remain the team's closer or does that allow the Rangers to transition him to the starting rotation? Something which was talked about during spring training. I wasn't a fan of that move when it was being discussed and there is a part of me that still isn't in favor of it.

However, with the rotation struggling like it is, the Rangers may need to bring this idea back to the forefront once more. It's not going to be a popular decision and as of right now it's not a decision that is going to be given any thought at all. Just don't count out the fact it might be brought into the conversation prior to the trade deadline in July.

The American League West is not the strongest division in baseball and there isn't one team among it who can run away with it this early in the season. It is what has allowed this team to struggle and not already be more than 10 games back of the Los Angeles Angels.

But if they do not do something soon to put the pieces back together and bring back the swagger this team had after winning the American League Championship over the New York Yankees, it could spell disaster for a team who is expected to have the same kind of success as they did in 2010.

Manager Ron Washington, general manager Jon Daniels, and owner Nolan Ryan have to be looking at their options. When they do, the name Heath Bell will come up more times than one. There's no panic in Arlington just yet but they can't wait too long to decide the best course of action.


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Can the Texas Rangers Stay Afloat, or is There a Move on The Horizon?

Through the first few weeks of the 2011 Major League Baseball season, the Texas Rangers looked every bit like the defending American League Champions. In fact, they looked better than the team who made it to the World Series in 2010.

Two weeks later, the Rangers are without team MVP, Josh Hamilton, for the better part of two months with a small fracture in his right shoulder and their young closer, Neftali Feliz, who was put on the 15-day disabled list with tightness in his pitching shoulder.

Without Hamilton, the rest of the offense began to struggle. Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz, Elvis Andrus, and Adrian Beltre all seemed to have lost their stroke. The only one who still had it, Michael Young, was a player the Rangers almost traded before the start of the season.

There have been a few games where the offensive power stroke re-emerges and the Rangers go on a home run binge. Then there are nights where they can not seem to get much going at all and struggle just to drive runs in.

However, the on and off nights for the offense isn’t the biggest concern for manager Ron Washington. The struggles of his bullpen and his rotation have left some wondering if this team needs to make a move sooner rather than later.

Most will tell you there won’t be a trade to be made until the trading deadline at the end of July. I’m not sure the Rangers can wait that long.

With Feliz out, Washington has had to turn to aging pitchers Arthur Rhodes and Darren Oliver to assume the closing duties and wonders if veteran pitcher Brett Tomko is going to hold down the fort or implode from one night to the next.

Mark Lowe was sent to the minors because he couldn’t get anyone out and Darren O’Day’s struggles with command have also reared their ugly head.

So what is Ron Washington to do?

First I’d stomp into general manager Jon Daniel’s office and say a simple, “thanks for nothing,” or he can try to put things together the best way he can to try and stop the bleeding.

Through the first month of the season, aside from the Red Sox and Orioles, the Rangers have struggled against the best the American League East has to offer, losing two of three to the New York Yankees and dropping the first two of a three-game set to the Toronto Blue Jays.

The four losses in five games really can not be blamed on the lack of offense which scored 17 runs over those five games. It has been the pitching rotation, aside from the ace C.J. Wilson, who can not seem to figure out how to get the job done against the teams who could play a major role in their playoff lives down the stretch.

Alexi Ogando, untouchable before making his very first start against the Yankees, would give up three home runs in just over six innings of work. His offense gave Ogando the lead twice and both times he coughed it up.

Another starter who has yet to have even a decent start is Colby Lewis. Through four starts (22.0 IP) Lewis has given up 17 earned runs, eight of which have been of the long ball variety.

Derek Holland, a young pitcher Ranger fans watched as he struggled in the World Series, has only been effective a few times so far this season.

After winning his first two starts of the season, giving up just three combined runs over 12 complete innings of work, Holland has given up 10 earned runs over his next two starts (14.2 IP) including three home runs.

Then there’s Matt Harrison. He looked like a star in the making. A young pitcher who the Ranger fans loved to come out and watch and he was a guy they knew would take the ball every fifth day and get their team a win.

It all came to a screeching halt on a Tuesday night against the Blue Jays. He lasted just three innings and was hammered for seven earned runs.

There are more questions than there are answers with this team. Three of their starters are struggling, they are missing one of their best hitters, and they are missing their closer.

While most teams would not make a trade this early in the season, maybe it’s time for Daniels and team owner Nolan Ryan to look in to their minor league system to see if there is anyone who can help them get through the rough patches.

If you listen closely, you might just hear the name Tanner Scheppers through the halls of Rangers’ Ballpark. He is the Rangers’ best pitching prospect and a young man who has received a ton of hype and praise from this franchise.

Assuming things do not change soon, Scheppers might be seeing the big leagues sooner than he realizes.

Luckily for the Rangers, the AL West isn’t going to be the strongest division in the American League or in baseball for that matter. They should have enough to stay afloat until both Feliz and Hamilton return to the team.

Once they are at full strength they might be a hard team to catch.

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Texas Rangers in a Josh Hamilton Tailspin

If you don't think one player makes a difference just ask the Texas Rangers.

Since losing outfielder, and 2010 team MVP, Josh Hamilton for the better part of six weeks, the team has lost each of its last three series against the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and just recently the Los Angeles Angels. They were without him last season for almost a month and were able to sustain somewhat of a consistency.

This time around the Rangers just can't seem to find any kind of stride at all. Say what you want about Hamilton being a solid outfielder and one of their best defensive players at the position. The loss of their power hitter in the lineup has left an even bigger void the team just can't figure out how to replace.

Not that Ian Kinsler, new addition Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz, Elvis Andrus, and long time Ranger Michael Young should be able to shoulder the load but Young seems to be the only guy hitting anything right now.

Since Hamilton's injury, Kinsler (.138, 4/29), Andrus  (.162. 6/37),  Cruz (.182, 6/33), and Beltre (.118, 4/34) are all struggling as are David Murphy (.071, 2/28) and Yorvit Torrealba (.240, 6/25).

If you want to know why this team is skidding so badly right now, you only have to look at these numbers. You can blame Colby Lewis missing a start due to the birth of his child which, by the way, was the absolute right decision regardless of what any local radio station might say. You can also blame it on the bullpen which has probably been the biggest problem for this team thus far outside of closer, Neftali Feliz.

Wherever you want to place your blame make sure you have the facts to back it up. The offense isn't getting the timely hitting and opposing pitchers are pitching differently to the Ranger hitters because Hamilton isn't in the lineup.

This team needs to find a way out of their tailspin before they're staring up at the Los Angels of Anaheim too far back to make the kind of progress that will keep them in the race past the All-Star break.

If they don't fix their problem quick this season will become like every other in Ranger history. Sports talk radio stations will start talking about the Dallas Cowboys in July instead of September and Ranger baseball will become  just a passing thought.

The Texas Rangers Are Off to Their Best Start in More Than a Decade

The Texas Rangers are off to their best start since 1996. Those who doubted probably still do, but they didn’t expect this kind of a start for a team who doesn’t look all that strong on paper.

But, that’s why there’s the all too familiar saying “that’s why they play the game.”

After a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox, the perennial favorites in the American League, the Rangers followed that up with a series win over the Seattle Mariners. Not a bad way to open the defense of the American League Championship, the first in franchise history.

They’re not only getting good pitching, the Rangers’ offense has been nothing short of amazing.

On two straight nights, both in his first at bat of the game, second baseman Ian Kinsler would hit his first and second home runs of the year. Not to be outdone, outfielder Nelson Cruz would hit four runs, one in each of the first four games. He’s in good company in that category because only the great Willie Mays and the infamous Mark McGwire have accomplished that feat.

What most didn’t expect is how the back end of the rotation would perform.

Left hander Matt Harrison and right handers Derek Holland and first time starter Alexi Ogando had solid performances.

The three young pitchers combined to give up just four runs and 14 hits through 19 solid innings of work. There isn’t anyone who could have predicted that kind of start for these three young pitchers.

They were the concern coming in to the season. Everyone knew what C.J. Wilson brought to the table as the team’s ace and people saw what Colby Lewis was capable of doing in the rotation last season.

But after the struggles Holland went through in the playoffs last year, I don’t know that I could blame any of the fans for having their doubts about how he would perform. Though he was shaky through a few innings on Monday night, he finished with two big strikeouts to get out of a jam that definitely could have gotten out of hand.

Neftali Feliz still dominates

It took almost a full four games before Ranger fans got to see closer Neftali Feliz trot out to the mound from the bullpen to lock down his first save of the season.

He did so with the same kind of flash and domination that has become somewhat of a trademark around Rangers’ Ballpark.

In a 5-3 win on Monday night, Feliz had no trouble getting the save though I think both Ranger and Mariner fans enjoyed seeing the matchup between the young closer and Mariners’ star Ichiro Suzuki.

One night later, Feliz would pick up his second save of the season and again without giving up a hit. For those of you who wanted to know why he was put back in the bullpen as the team’s closer, you saw why over the last two nights.

Nelson Cruz in power mode

For those of you who watched this team all of last season, and especially in the playoffs, you got to see this young outfielder put on a display of power this franchise has searched for long and hard.

His walk off home runs last season became almost expected. However, his four home runs in four games certainly came as a surprise to just about everyone. Though it’s left most wondering, “what will he do this season for an encore?”

Michael Young still a Ranger

Super utility man Michael Young still remains in Texas and still dons the Ranger jersey. He’s received his share of playing time this season but you can bet it’s not the kind of playing time he’s been used to in the past.

So far, there hasn’t been much drama since the blowup between him and general manager Jon Daniels at the beginning of spring training. However, you have to wonder how long Young is going to be a “team player.” Those who have watched him over the years believe he’ll do what’s necessary to help the team when.

However, when push comes to shove, an every day player turned utility man isn’t going to get used to riding the bench much longer.

Rangers hit the road

The Texas Rangers will begin a nine game road stretch beginning on Friday night when they travel to Baltimore to take on the suddenly hot Orioles managed by none other than former Rangers’ manager Buck Showalter.

After that, it’s off to Detroit for a three-game set against the Tigers before they head for the Bronx and a rematch of the ALCS with the New York Yankees.

This could be the most telling sign for this team. Sure they can play well at home, but how will they fare in hostile territory?

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Texas Rangers vs Boston Red Sox: C.J. Wilson, Jon Lester Battle in Arlington

Though Major League Baseball officially opened their season on Thursday with six games on the schedule, the rest of the league will open their 2011 season on Friday with 11 games on the slate.

One of those will take place in Arlington, Texas as the defending American League Champion Texas Rangers will begin their defense of their league championship. The team they're hosting, the Boston Red Sox, have been talked about as the best team in not only the American League but the entire Major Leagues.

It's been an interesting off season for the Rangers. Losing out on Cliff Lee, who decided to depart for Philadelphia, the signing of free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre, the trade demands of Michael Young, and their former CEO Chuck Greenberg stepping down. Needless to say there's been no shortage of news coming from the team while they were in Surprise, Arizona for spring training.

On Friday afternoon, right hander C.J. Wilson will take over as the team's new ace of the starting rotation. He'll take the mound at Rangers' Ballpark to take on young Red Sox right hander Jon Lester.

Wilson became one of the surprises for the Rangers last season as he stepped up to be the number two man behind Lee and made several big starts for the team when they needed them the most. He made 33 starts for Texas in 2010 finishing 15-8 with a 3.35 ERA.

As for Lester, he came up one win short of a 20-win season and looks to be one of the best young pitchers in the game today. In 32 starts for Boston, Lester finished 19-9 with a 3.25 ERA.

This is the beginning of a long road for both teams. While we can talk about what the Rangers and Red Sox can or will do on paper, a lot of things could change between now and October.

As most say, this is a marathon and not a sprint.

Here's a preview of today's game, players to watch, keys for the Rangers and what they need to do to get off to a good start to the 2011 season.


C.J. Wilson (career against Boston) 15 games, 32.1 IP, 3 starts, 3-1 1.42 ERA

Jon Lester (career against Texas) 7 games, 49.0 IP, 7 starts, 3-1 2.94 ERA


Key Offensive Players:

Against Jon Lester (hot): Adrian Beltre (.364, 4/11), Josh Hamilton (.313, 5/16), Elvis Andrus (.333, 4/12), Nelson Cruz (.400, 4/10), Mike Napoli (.500, 3/6), Michael Young (.391, 9/23)

Against Jon Lester (cold): David Murphy (.222, 2/9), Ian Kinsler (.125, 2/16)

Keys to the game:

C.J. Wilson needs to stay in front of the hitters. He's going to be facing arguably the strongest offensive lineup in baseball. Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz, Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury, J.D. Drew, and Kevin Youkilis just to name a few.

The moment he falls behind, he's going to be forced to throw pitches these hitters are going to be looking for. Gonzalez is going to be his biggest problem. He's one of the best hitters in baseball and can put an outside fastball into the right field seats and take an inside fastball and crush it to left. Don't feed him fastballs he's too good for that.

Gonzalez is going to struggle when the ball is up in the zone. Keep the ball at the letters or higher and don't get him a chance to extend his arms. He's the one guy who can make your day miserable. If Wilson can keep him off the stat sheets and keep his pitch count down, he should be able to keep his team in the game.

Beltre and Hamilton need to lead the offense. Assuming they start Kinsler at second they have to assume his struggles against Lester are going to continue. They have the power to beat the young right hander but they need to work the count.

Swinging at first pitches isn't going to get it done. Lester is not going to be an easy pitcher to deal with no matter which team is facing him. He has a career .244 batting average against, .245 against left handers and .248 against right handers.

The Rangers' offense is going to need to pick their spots and make sure they take full advantage of any mistakes. Miss one chance and you may not get another one.

This will be a telling sign of where the team is regardless of the fact it's the first three games of the season. Winning two of three would be huge for this team.


Follow Todd Kaufmann @T_Kaufmann on Twitter or find him on Facebook

Texas Rangers Should Keep Their Eye on Pitcher Scott Kazmir

The Los Angeles Angels seem to be ready to give up on pitcher Scott Kazmir not only after a brutal 2010 season but after a rough spring training as well.

The problem is, Kazmir still has $25.5 million left on his contract but that doesn't include a $2.5 million buyout. Those numbers alone would scare off just about any team wanting to acquire him. Except, there is one team who could trade contract for contract.

The Texas Rangers.

It's no secret the Rangers have been trying to find a deal for long time infielder Michael Young but teams haven't been willing to take half of his contract to get the deal done. Something the Rangers have required of any team wanting to get involved.

It wouldn't be a cheap proposition but one the Rangers may need to think about. Right hander Tommy Hunter is going to miss the first six weeks of the season thanks to a groin strain and ace C.J. Wilson departed a spring training game a few days ago with tightness in his hamstring.

On paper, the Rangers' rotation doesn't look like anything that would keep them in the AL West race past the All-Star break, especially not with the changes the Oakland A's and the Angels have made. They're not going to run away with this race.

Kazmir did struggle last season, going 9-15 through 28 starts with a 5.94 ERA. Needless to say, he's not exactly the pitcher the Angels thought they were getting when they acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays.

I talked to Angels' beat writer, Mike DiGiovanna about Kazmir's situation and he told me, "Kazmir is virtually untradeable because of his contract. If he struggles, they will just release him and eat $14.5 million."

While it may not be the best time to make a deal just yet, this is a pitcher the Rangers should at least inquire about. Maybe there is a deal to be made where they can include Michael Young to not only get his contract off the books but bring in a starter they could be needing in a month or so.

If young pitchers Derek Holland or Matt Harrison begin to struggle, the Rangers don't exactly have a deep minor league system to be able to replace them with two other young pitchers unless you're talking about former Fresno State standout, Tanner Scheppers. But even he isn't ready to contribute to a big league team just yet.

I'm not saying this is a deal the Rangers are even going to approach. All I'm saying is, it's something this team should be diligent about because at 27-years old, he's still someone pitching coach Mike Maddux can do tremendous work with.


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Texas Rangers: The Season Hasn't Begun And Already the Naysayers Are Out

The Texas Rangers are one week away from Opening Day 2011. They're also one week away from defending their 2010 American League Championship.

While this should be a time for excitement, it took just one decision late yesterday to turn the excitement to all out pessimism.

Neftali Feliz, the Rangers' soon to be 23-year old closer, began toeing the rubber as a starter during spring training. The team wanted to know if they could move him from the back of the bullpen to the starting rotation.

A few days before the decision was to be made, it seemed to most everyone the Rangers had their minds made up and would bring in their young phenom, and last season's Rookie of the Year, to be part of the rotation behind ace C.J. Wilson.

The debate was hot and heavy with most of the polls favoring Feliz's return to the roll of the team's closer. But when the decision was made, it seemed there was more anger toward the team than support.

Texas Rangers Shopping for a Closer, Neftali Feliz to the Rotation?

With just a few weeks left before Opening Day for Major League Baseball, the Texas Rangers still have decisions to make not only with the starting rotation but also for the bullpen.

Oddly enough, it surrounds just one name.

Neftali Feliz.

The team's closer last season has been worked out as a starter during spring training and the team seems sold on bringing him in as a starter behind either C.J. Wilson or Colby Lewis. He's not going to be the ace of the staff so let's stop with those rumors.

Speaking of rumors, with Feliz potentially moving into the rotation it leaves an open spot at the back end of the bullpen. Who will be the closer for the Rangers in 2011?

A few names who have made their way onto the rumor sheets are current Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, San Diego Padres' closer Heath Bell, and Kansas City Royals' closer Joakim Soria.

The team could look internally to fill the spot but there really isn't a name that puts fear into opposing hitters.

We know the chips the Rangers have to trade and they happen to surround two different names, Michael Young and Chris Davis.

As far as I'm concerned we can take the Padres off the list because if Davis struggles at the plate in Arlington, a well known hitter's park, he won't have much luck at one of the best pitcher's parks in baseball, Petco Park.

However, the Padres are one team Michael Young can not refuse a trade to until his 10-and-5 rights kick in a few months from now. The Rangers have already made it clear they would be willing to assume most of Young's salary in order for them to move him.

That could definitely entice the Padres who don't exactly have the money to bring on the kind of contract Young still has coming to him.

I don't see the Red Sox trading Papelbon but it's not the first time I've heard his name mentioned in trade rumors. He came up prior to the trade deadline last year and again during this past off season.

He would definitely entice me if I'm the Rangers but the Red Sox don't have a full time position for Michael Young to assume. Not only that but the Sox would tell you they've already spent enough money for right now.

There is still time for decisions to be made but the Rangers are cutting it awfully close to Opening Day. It seems they want Feliz to be in the rotation but they need to figure out who their closer is going to be. A closer-by-committee isn't going to work and unless they can find the right trade scenario, they might need to fill it internally for now.


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The Texas Rangers Are Better With Michael Young Than Without

The Michael Young drama was something that a lot of fans and media alike were talking about leading up to spring training. The longtime Texas Ranger wanted out and he made his trade demands know both privately and publicly.

But then Young did something a lot of people didn't expect him to do. He shut his mouth, worked out with the team, and didn't say any more about it after it all unfolded in the days leading up to the entire team reporting.

He even held a closed door meeting with his teammates to answer any questions they had about his demands, his feelings, and what concerns they may have had.

Why? Because it's the kind of teammate he's always been. He's the guy who, when Mark Teixeira turned down the Rangers' contract extension for the New York Yankee pinstripes, took the contract extension the Rangers offered him because he wanted to remain with the club.

The Texas Rangers and the Season of Expectations

The defending American League Champion Texas Rangers come in to the 2011 season with a new set of expectations that have never before been put before them. They’ve never been expected to do much else than at least be in the AL West race up until the All-Star break.

After that, they were expected to fall apart. Most of the time, they did just that.

Jim Thome Headed to the Lone Star State?

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

When the chase for Cliff Lee ended for the Texas Rangers, one name I thought they should go after or at least have interest in was free agent Jim Thome who had a solid year in Minnesota in 2010.

The general manager as well as the winter meetings went by with no indication at all that the team was interested in him. However, rumors have come out that the Rangers might in fact be going after Thome after all.

I'm not saying Mitch Moreland can't do the job at first base because he did a more than adequate job during the playoffs as well as the World Series. But if you can get a guy like Thome who is a proven offensive threat, that makes for a more solid lineup.

The Rangers have already parted ways with Vladimir Guerrero who forgot to show up during the World Series not only with the bat but he showed why people called him a "defensive liability" when they played in San Francisco.

Bringing Adrian Beltre was something they could afford to do but not for the kind of money they paid him (5 year $96 million). Not to mention the bad PR they have now with long time third baseman Michael Young. However, one can see why they made the move to get Beltre seeing as Young isn't exactly as youthful as he used to be though his defensive skills at the hot corner weren't really that bad last season.

Now that they have Beltre in the mix, it allows them to slide Young either to first base or to the DH role if they are in fact able to sign Jim Thome.

If they can get that done, they'd have a lineup that already boasts guys like Elvis Andrus, Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. Adding a bat like Thome's to an already powerful lineup could make them a definite threat to win the AL West again in 2011.

Have the Texas Rangers Landed Adrian Beltre?

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images


Update: 1/4/2011 2:15pm CST - Deal is official. The Rangers signed Adrian Beltre to a six-year $96 million deal which is still pending a physical.

Update: 1/3/2011 10:02am CST - Apparently this story isn't as dead as we thought it was. According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN.com, the Rangers and Adrian Beltre are apparently close to an agreement on a multi-year deal.

Update: 10:25am CST - Evan Grant is on this story and reports, via Twitter, there's no truth to the signing.

I'll make this short and sweet since this is just a rumor for now but Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News tweeted this morning that a report out of the Dominican Republic is saying the Texas Rangers and free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre have agreed to a six-year $96 million deal.

Of course there's no official word from the Rangers themselves or from Beltre's camp so we can only treat this as a rumor.

If this does come to fruition what does it mean for Michael Young? Will they move him to the DH role and Beltre to third base or vice versa?

The Rangers have been surprisingly quiet since they lost out on Cliff Lee just a few weeks ago and I was wondering if they were going to do anything at all.

When there's confirmation of the deal, we'll let you know.

Texas Rangers Going Hard After Adrian Beltre?

Charlie Riedel - AP

While the Texas Rangers wait on an answer from free agent left hander Cliff Lee, they've apparently turned their attention to free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre.

Though there were tweets on Friday from different MLB writers about the Rangers interest, none of them seemed to have any urgency behind them.

It's unknown if that's changed, but if they are serious about acquiring Beltre, a decision will need to be made on Michael Young. There had been talks during the winter meetings about the Rangers listening to possible trade offers for their long time SS/3B but none that really became anything more than talk.

Cliff Lee: Michael Young's Fate Rests on Where Lee Ends Up

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

For most of the last four days, Texas Ranger fans have been hanging on every word spoke on local radio and every tweet coming from just about every national writer there is.

They want Cliff Lee back though there are some fans who don't want to overpay to get that done.

As of this morning, the New York Yankees had upped their offer from six to seven years, something the team said they weren't going to do. But, after free agent outfielder Carl Crawford signed with the Boston Red Sox early this morning, the Yankees became desperate to land at least one big time free agent, so they did what we all knew they were going to do.

Now, it's in the hands of Rangers' team president Nolan Ryan to see if Lee is really serious about coming back to Texas or if he's only in this for the money.

Everyone believes the Yankees are the front-runner and for good reason. Their seven-year, $160 million offer is a good one and one that will make the Rangers shake in their boots.

But, there are those of us around the Dallas/Ft Worth area that believe the Rangers need to move on and let Lee either sign the contract offered him by the Rangers or go where the money is and head to the Bronx. The Rangers can't afford to give him seven years and it would be a horrible decision for the team to give him just that.

Newy Scruggs from 105.3 FM The Fan in Dallas talked about that exact thing this morning on his radio show. He also believes the Rangers should move on to other players and try to land Kansas City Royals' pitcher, Zack Greinke. He also had Jamey Newberg of the Newberg Report on the air this morning who talked about what Greinke brings to the table. From what I heard, I agree with both of them.

Though we can talk about Cliff Lee for the next few days until he makes a decision, there is one other big name that's floating around the area is third baseman and longtime Ranger, Michael Young.

Rumors surfaced a few days ago that the Rangers were talking to the Colorado Rockies about dealing him but what was coming back wasn't immediately known. Bryan Dolgin, who covers the Rangers, quoted Nolan Ryan as saying the team was not going to trade Michael Young but Ryan added that they would listen on any player.

On the flip side of Dolgin's report, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports tweeted yesterday that the Rangers were gauging interest in Young and were even offering to pay some of his remaining salary to get a deal done.

The feeling around the media here in the Dallas area is the Rangers will not trade the face of their franchise until they know what will happen with Cliff Lee. Until they receive an answer from the free agent left-hander, there won't be a deal in place with any team.

From everything that's been said, it seems to me the only reason the Rangers would move Young is to clear needed salary to sign Lee if an agreement can be made.

As of right now, the Rangers met with Lee and his agent in Arkansas earlier today but there's been no indication that an offer has been made to him.

Because of the hold up and because the team hasn't gotten an answer from him, they've already lost out on Carl Crawford and they risk losing out on Greinke if they continue the pursuit of Lee.

They need to move on and they need to start making moves to better their team. They can not get into a bidding war with a team that is really acting on nothing more than desperation. Seven years is too much to give a player that is already north of thirty years of age.

They can still get into talks with the Royals for Greinke, they can still either re-sign Vladimir Guerrero who's looking for a two-year deal or you can look at another free agent in former Minnesota Twin, Jim Thome who I believe could be a tremendous person to have behind guys like Young and Josh Hamilton in the lineup.

It's expected that Lee will give the Yankees and Rangers an answer before the end of the weekend. However, if I'm Nolan Ryan and general manager Jon Daniels, it's time to tell the free agent pitcher that they are done with the chase and are ready to move on to other players.

Sure "it's time" but that slogan means the end of a chase they shouldn't even be in at this point.