Texas Rangers preview Offense isn't a problem for the Rangers, who led the majors with 901 runs scored in 2008 and should make a run at that total again, with hitters like Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler and Michael Young atop the lineup. However, all of that offense doesn't amount to much when you allow 967 runs and lead the majors with a 5.37 ERA. THREE QUESTIONS 1. Will the rotation doom the team's chances again? Unfortunately, yes. For the fourth consecutive season, Kevin Millwood will be on the mound for Texas on opening day. It's not that Millwood is a terrible pitcher, but he isn't an ace. In his three seasons with Texas, he has a 4.89 ERA. Vicente Padilla, the team's No. 2 starter, also has a 4.89 ERA in his three seasons with the team and has been less durable than Millwood. Behind them are Brandon McCarthy, who is as inconsistent as he is injury-prone, and a pair of youngsters in Scott Feldman and Matt Harrison. The veteran insurance policies include oft-injured Jason Jennings and Kris Benson. Even when the team tries to make a free-agent splash, it backfires (see: Ben Sheets). There are some young arms on the horizon, but they probably won't help in 2009 -- or maybe ever. After all, former Rangers prospects Edinson Volquez, Armando Galarraga and John Danks all are thriving elsewhere. 2. Did Texas err by forcing Michael Young to third base? All Young did last season was win a Gold Glove at shortstop. Because Young relocated once before -- he was a second baseman until the 2004 season -- his transition should be smooth. But it could be a rocky road for rookie shortstop Elvis Andrus, who never has played above Class AA and wasn't a polished defender there (32 errors in 109 games in 2008). This pitching staff doesn't need to get four outs per inning. However, the Rangers are intrigued enough by Andrus' bat (.295 average last season) and legs (54 steals) to shuffle their infield. He has hit well this spring but hasn't down much running. In case the Andrus experiment fails, Texas signed 11-time Gold Glove winner Omar Vizquel. 3. What role will Andruw Jones have? Maybe none. If Jones isn't on the Rangers' 40-man roster by Friday, he can opt out of his minor league deal. The best-case scenario has Jones serving as the team's fifth outfielder, if he can outlast Frank Catalanotto and Brandon Boggs for the job. Yes, the guy who hit 92 homers and drove in 257 runs for the Braves from 2005-06 is hoping to hang on as a fifth outfielder, after the Dodgers cut him and the remainder of his two-year, $36.2 million deal this offseason. After a horrible start to spring training (eight strikeouts in nine March at-bats), Jones has hit better -- but without power. Jones isn't likely to find a more favorable situation (stacked lineup, great park, hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo) in which to salvage his career. PROJECTED LINEUP 1. 2B Ian Kinsler. Hernia ended season on Aug. 17; still had career bests in hits, runs, RBIs, SBs. 2. 3B Michael Young. String of five consecutive 200-hit seasons ended in 2008. 3. CF Josh Hamilton. MVP candidate led A.L. with 130 RBIs. 4. DH Hank Blalock. Injuries limited him to 123 games the past two seasons. 5. RF Nelson Cruz. Minor league success yet to translate to majors. 6. LF David Murphy. Knee injury prematurely ended breakout season (15 HRs, 74 RBIs). 7. 1B Chris Davis. Adds even more pop to lineup (17 HRs, 55 RBIs in 80 games last season). 8. C Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Likely to split time with Taylor Teagarden. 9. SS Elvis Andrus. Rangers gambling that his bat is ready. PROJECTED ROTATION 1. RHP Kevin Millwood. Had an ERA above 6.00 in four of six months last season. 2. RHP Vicente Padilla. Went 11-3 on the road last season; 3-5 at home. 3. LHP Matt Harrison. Was 9-3 after call-up, despite 5.49 ERA. 4. RHP Scott Feldman. Allowed at least five earned runs in 8 of 25 starts. 5. RHP Brandon McCarthy. Promising with White Sox, injured with Rangers. PROJECTED CLOSER RHP Frank Francisco. Was lights-out late last season for a bullpen that had 28 blown saves (tied for second-most in the A.L.). GRADES Offense: A. Even losing DH Milton Bradley (.321 AVG, .436 OBP) won't hurt this bunch. With a healthy season from Blalock and further development from Davis and Cruz, Texas' offense will be even better. And that doesn't even factor in the two young catchers (Saltalamacchia, Teagarden). Pitching: F. The starters have plenty to prove, and so do the relievers (Texas' 5.15 bullpen ERA was worst in the majors). There's some depth in the 'pen with former closers Eddie Guardado, Derrick Turnbow and C.J. Wilson, but all come with serious questions. New pitching coach Mike Maddux faces an uphill battle. Bench: C. Vizquel's glove will come in handy, and Marlon Byrd is a solid fourth outfielder. On the infield, third baseman Travis Metcalf has some pop, and Teagarden is one of the league's most highly touted young backstops. Catalanotto can play in the infield or outfield, if he makes the team. Manager: C. Another slow start by Texas could be the final straw for Ron Washington, whose job security is shaky. Working in his favor is a soft schedule in April/May. In addition to improving the pitching, Washington must find a way to shore up the defense, which led the majors with 132 errors last season. Sporting News prediction: Until this team solves its pitching woes, it can forget about any postseason aspirations; you can win 9-7 only so many times. After a second-place finish in 2008, it's back to third place in 2009. --

※ 发信站: 批踢踢实业坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 118.160.72.199