Texas Rangers: Could Mike Cameron Be a Good Addition?

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When it comes to the Texas Rangers and the changes that need to be made in order to turn this team into a contender in the American League, the outfield isn't one of the places most people will talk about.

But when it comes to possibly bringing a veteran in, someone who already has American League experience, and a guy who's a proven hitter, I'm whole heartedly on board.

Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Craig Gentry, and Endy Chavez currently make up the outfield depth chart for the team and you can add Mitch Moreland to the list as he also has experience at both corner spots.


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But outside of Hamilton and Cruz, the Rangers don't have a solid veteran hitter in the lineup who can not only do damage offensively but has the speed to get to any ball in the gap.

You can look at his numbers and be scared off from signing the 38-year old veteran but there's more to Cameron than his 94 at bats this season. Being with the Boston Red Sox and among all the talent that roster has, Cameron knew he wasn't going to get the chance to play every day.

Now that he's a free agent, Cameron is looking for a team he can land with who will give him a chance to prove he still has some life left in his legs.

He's not going to be the same kind of a player he was in his early days but he's still someone pitchers will think twice about with their pitch selection.

If you want to look at numbers, how about .266, Cameron's career batting average at Rangers Ballpark.

But Cameron's play has more to do with who he is as a ballplayer than any of his numbers will tell anyone who follows the game. He's a lot like Josh Hamilton. Cameron goes 110% and gives everything he has to the team he plays for.

They need a veteran presence in the outfield and someone manager Ron Washington can bring off the bench to provide a late inning pitch hitter or defensive replacement.

He's going to be a cheap option to sign and a guy they won't have to give up anything to bring on board. While the Rangers may not need another name on the outfield depth chart, Mike Cameron is certainly an option general manager Jon Daniels and CEO Nolan Ryan will think long and hard about.

Texas Rangers Notes: Ogando, Kinsler, Cruz, Kazmir

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Alexi Ogando is apparently human after all, at least in the eyes of the New York Yankees.

For the second time in as many starts against them, Ogando was taken apart on Tuesday night in the Bronx in what was his shortest outing of the 2011 season. After a scoreless first inning, Ogando was tagged for six runs in the second inning and was pulled by manager Ron Washington with two outs in the second inning.

Back on April 17th, his third start of the season, Ogando gave up five runs to the Yankees but was able to get through 6 1/3 innings.



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 The last time Ogando gave up five runs or more was back on May 29th at home against the Kansas City Royals.

Another guy who had a tough time last night, and who's been having a tough time most of the season, is second baseman Ian Kinsler.

When he popped out in the 5th inning with runners in scoring position and nobody out, it dropped his batting average with runners in scoring position to an abysmal .196. That average is even worse on the road (.182). Kinsler needs to be a bigger part of this offense or the Rangers will be left relying on Josh Hamilton and Michael Young.

The reason I didn't mention Nelson Cruz among the players the Rangers will rely on is his continued struggles which carried through Tuesday night's game.

After a strikeout in the sixth inning, Cruz lengthened his hitless streak to 14 straight at bats to go along with nine strikeouts.

Another pitcher who had a tough outing was Angels' left hander Scott Kazmir who, during a minor league start against Sacramento, gave up six runs on over an inning and two-thirds. The Angels are probably regretting giving him the $14.5 million contract and will not be able to trade him to a team who's willing to take on that kind of money.

The Texas Rangers will probably look to make a deal for a starter or two and possibly look to strengthen their bullpen at the trade deadline. Kazmir is a guy I thought the Rangers should keep an eye on and if he's released by the Angels, I would at least be willing to take a flyer on him to see if he can at least help you in the bullpen.

Allow pitching coach Mike Maddux to work with him a little bit and see if it's something he can work out whether it's mechanics, focus, or confidence. It's not going to cost the team prospects and it might be worth the risk.

On the downside, I know the Rangers are already taking a flier on one pitcher, Brandon Webb, who isn't having the same kind of success he's had in the past. Adding another might not be the best idea.

But if one of both of these guys can fix their problems and be even 80 to 90 percent of what they were before, it's a win for this ballclub.

Texas Rangers Being Kept Afloat By Bad AL West Division

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If you're the Texas Rangers and you are only give games above .500, there has to be something inside you thanking your lucky stars things aren't much worse.

Through almost mid-June, the Rangers currently sit two games in front of the Seattle Mariners and four and a half games in front of the Los Angeles Angels in the American League's Western Division.

At the start of the 2011 season, though my predictions for this division don't look all that great at this point in the season there is still a lot of time left.



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 The Texas Rangers have dealt with losing Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz to the disabled list and now will be without catcher Mike Napoli who was just put on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique.

But not only have they struggled with injuries but their starters, outside of C.J. Wilson and Alexi Ogando, have struggled as well. Matt Harrison, Derek Holland, and Colby Lewis have brought their share of good starts but, as of late, have brought their struggles along as well.

After eight innings of shutout ball against Tampa Bay, Lewis has given up 15 earned runs over his last two starts (4.2 IP). He gave up nine runs against Detroit (3.1 IP) and six against the Minnesota Twins (1.1 IP) in his very next start.

Matt Harrison, after not giving up a single run in back-to-back starts (14.1 IP) against the Philadelphia Phillies and Kansas City Royals, he's given up six runs over his last two starts (10 IP) against Detroit and Minnesota.

Though Derek Holland was more than impressive against the Cleveland Indians in early June, throwing a complete game shutout, outside of that one start the young right hander has given up 13 earned runs (17 IP) in his previous three starts.


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This team can not keep counting on Wilson and Ogando to right the ship every time it looks like it's going to tip over.

We can blame the pitching staff all we want and the battle some of the starters are going through just to figure things out and get themselves right. But after starting the month of June with a perfect 5-0 record, the Rangers have dropped five of their last seven games including losing back-to-back series against the Tigers and Twins.

Over the next month and a half, the Rangers front office will be collecting names and talking to their scouting department about possible deals they could make at or before the trade deadline at the end of July.

They know they need to focus on pitching, both in the rotation as well as the back end of the bullpen. Owner Nolan Ryan and general manager Jon Daniels both know they are just one or two moves away from running away from the rest of the division.

It's not going to be just any move. It's going to take the right move for this team to be able to put some distance between them and those chasing them in the AL West. If they wait for the Mariners or Angels to make a move, they could be watching as they are the ones who get left in the dust.

As for right now, a bad AL West dvision is keeping them afloat when it should have already drowned them.

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?

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

Texas Rangers Ride Matt Harrison, Long Ball to Sweep Aside the Red Sox

If Texas Rangers fans wanted to see what their team was made of, all they had to do was be one of the more than 140,000 that made the trek to Rangers' Ballpark.

Not only did the Rangers put the bats, and the arms, to the Boston Red Sox who looked like the perennial favorites in the American League, they did it in dominating fashion.

“We got outplayed all the way around,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona told the Associated Press. “They hit better than us, they pitched better than us. Now we’ve got to regroup and get us a win so we can feel better about ourselves.”

The offense exploded for 11 home runs and outscored the Red Sox 26-11 over the three game series. According to the Associated Press, the Red Sox fell to 0-3 for the first time since 1996 when they lost each of their first five games.

Second baseman Ian Kinsler and outfielder Nelson Cruz each connected for home runs, their third in as many days becoming the first set of teammates to do so in Major League history. David Murphy his his first of the season and Mike Napoli connected for his second. But they weren't the only ones who had a big day.

Left hander Matt Harrison, making his first start for the Rangers, pitched an absolute gem. Contrary to the opinions of Gregg Williams and Richie Whitt of 105.3 FM The Fan in Dallas, Harrison didn't need just his name to scare off the Boston hitters. His cutter seemed to do the trick.

Harrison went seven innings allowing one run on just five hits, walked two, and struck out a career high eight batters. Relievers Darren Oliver and Neftali Feliz closed out the final two innings and did so without allowing a single hit.

“I knew if I hit my spots and mixed the speeds up, I was going to be able to keep them under control,” Harrison said after the game. “I’m definitely going to take this one and look back on it next time out. … It was just a good mix of everything. They really couldn’t sit on anything. I was able to throw three or four pitches for strikes today.”

This three game series was as dominate as the Rangers have looked in a long time. After coming off a disappointing World Series defeat at the hands of the San Francisco Giants, they seemed to come into this series with a sense of urgency and wanted to prove a point right off the bat.

They did so with power in the lineup and strength in both the rotation and the bullpen. Sure a lead was given up on Friday but they didn't quit and they found a way to overcome any obstacle in their way.

This team has solidified their place in the American League and proved all those picking the Red Sox to win should re-think that pick.

“It just makes a statement that we’re here to try to duplicate last year, that we can do it against anybody,” outfielder David Murphy said after the game.

If I'm the Seattle Mariners I'd be shaking in my boots and would be wondering if they shouldn't just hand the Rangers a three-game sweep so they can move on to whoever is next.

But, since it's not something that can be done, the Mariners will make their way to Arlington for the first of a three-game set beginning on Monday night.

Alexi Ogando will go on Monday, making his very first start as a Texas Ranger. Derek Holland will take the ball on Tuesday night and C.J. Wilson, the team's ace, will anchor the series on Wednesday.


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Texas Rangers vs Boston Red Sox: Rangers Go Big Fly, Rally Past the Red Sox

The Texas Rangers needed a big start to their day and though it didn't look like it after the top half of the first inning, the offense came out swinging.

With the second pitch he saw, second baseman Ian Kinsler smoked a solo home run to left to pull within 2-1 of the Red Sox. He would be joined by outfielder Nelson Cruz, who had a solo shot of his own, and newcomer Mike Napoli who added a three-run shot.

Though the Sox would eventually tie the game at 5-5 in the eighth inning, David Murphy had a big pinch hit two-run double in the home half of the eighth as the Rangers would pull away with a 9-5 win on Friday afternoon in front of 50,146 at Rangers' Ballpark.

There were a lot of doubts on what this Rangers team was going to be able to do against a Red Sox team who most called the best team in baseball. Would they be able to stand up against the giants of the American League?

They fell behind early and rallied. The game was tied and the momentum started to swing a little bit to Boston's favor. But this team didn't quit. Each time Boston seemed to be gaining, the Rangers shut them down and the offense answered the call.

Both left handers, Rangers' C.J. Wilson and Boston's Jon Lester, both ended up with no decisions but only Wilson was able to celebrate at the end of the night.

Wilson went 5.2 innings pitched giving up four runs only two of them earned and struck out six. As for Lester, he went 5.1 innings pitched giving up five runs (all earned) and gave up the three home runs to Kinsler, Cruz, and Napoli.

There were more than one big hit in this game.

You can look at Napoli's three-run shot with the Rangers down 4-2 in the fourth inning or you can look at the two-run double by David Murphy which put the team ahead for good.

All-in-all this was a good effort by the defending American League Champions. It's only one game but it's getting off to a good start that will give this team confidence for the remainder of the series.


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