FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Porkins: I stole Menn's rake said 02/05, 10:31 AM
I'm not sure if this is serious, but...

The Rangers finished last year at 75-87. That's 12 games below .500. They finished NINETEEN games out of the AL West lead.

I agree that their offense is good- in 2007 they were ranked 7th in MLB in overall offense, and if Salty pans out that could go up. But notice one of the teams in front of them. The Angels were ranked 6th. They actually won the division.

I also agree that Texas' problem is pitching. Guardado will split closing duties with Wilson to start, and he's completing a comeback from injury and has a career ERA of 4.31. And beyond that, who do they have?

Jason Jennings?? Di you actually look at his numbers? Last year in 99 IP he had an ERA of 6.45 and a 2-9 record. His career ERA is 4.91, and he sports a lifetime record below .500. He's turning 30 this year, and while he was once a good prospect, he potential has never been realized.

Look at the rest of their rotation.

Millwood (2007): 10-14 with a 5.16 ERA
Padilla (2007): Didn't even play. Sports a career ERA over 4.
Brandon McCarthy (2007): 5-10 with a 4.87 ERA
Kason Gabbard (2007): Has potential to be a #2 or #3 guy, but is unproven.

Porkins: I stole Menn's rake said 02/05, 11:05 AM
The fact that Millwood led the team in Ks shows how terrible their pitching was. He only had 123 Ks in 172+ IP.

Gabbard had a good showing last year, but it's too small a sample size to draw conclusions. As a Sox fan, I'm familiar with him and expect he'll be pretty good, but the Rangers need more help than that.

Fukumori is an unknown quantity, but in 2007 in Japan he had an ERA of 4.75. His K rate is good, but he's far from a sure bet, and his numbers aren't stellar coming into the majors.

Most people have Harrison pegged as a middle of the rotation type guy. He's a good prospect, but with zero experience in the big leagues, it's hard to count on him.

I think the Rangers have some potential bright spots. But be realistic- they finished 19 games out. Benoit and a couple of rookies are unlikely to contribute enough to help them make up that kind of ground.

It appears that the Mariners are moving forward with the Bedard trade which will strengthen them in the short term. The Angels have added Torii Hunter and have certainly not gotten worse.

The Rangers might improve their record from '07, but they won't get a sniff of the division title.

Porkins: I stole Menn's rake said 02/05, 11:28 AM
I was worried this TD was going to be a joke, but you made some respectable arguments. Well done.

However, it's just not reasonable to think that a handful of rookies and a retread pitcher are going to transform this team from basement dweller to contender...yet.

I think trading Gagne was a good start, and they got a decent return that should pay off. But as long as they have guys like Millwood and Padilla leading their staff, they're not going anywhere.

The Angels have a number of good young players as well. Look at their rotation- Lackey, Escobar, Weaver...they're the favorite to win the West again, although Seattle is making a move. Oakland is in a rebuilding phase, and I expect the As and Rangers to compete for 3rd place.

Over the past 6 seasons, the AL West winners have averaged 95.5 wins per year. Over those same 6 seasons, the Rangers have averaged only 77.7 wins per year. Although there are glimmers of hope on the horizon, does anyone really see the 2008 Rangers as a 95 win team?