Texas Rangers 2010 Primer

With a new emphasis on pitching and defense, the 2009 Texas Rangers allowed more than 200 fewer runs than they did in 2008. Sure, they scored 117 less, but the massive improvement in run prevention ended up making the Rangers eight wins better. Their 87-75 record was the best for the franchise since 2004 and had them in playoff contention for most of the season.

Now, of course, the next step is to actually make the playoffs. The Rangers have made the playoffs just three times in team history -- and those appearances came in a four-year span in the late '90s. Team president Nolan Ryan has publicly stated he expects his team to make the postseason.

Should the Rangers add some punch back to the order while still maintaining their stellar defense and continue to see growth from the young pitching staff, they'll be able to realize Ryan's goal. Were the additions of Vladimir Guerrero and Rich Harden enough to give the rest of the team the necessary shot in the arm?

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Coming and Going

In: Vladimir Guerrero, DH (free agent); Rich Harden, SP (free agent); Darren Oliver, RP (free agent); Colby Lewis, SP (free agent)
Out: Omar Vizquel, SS (free agent); Ivan Rodriguez, C (free agent); Marlon Byrd, OF (free agent); Hank Blalock, DH (free agent); Eddie Guardado, RP (free agent); Andruw Jones, DH (free agent); Clay Rapada, RP (trade)

Around the Horn

Drug Distraction ...
It's been enough days since the Ron Washington drug admission came forth, so it's reasonable to conclude he's not going to lose his job over it. Will his presence this season provide a distraction for the young team? What about his relationship with Josh Hamilton?

Youth Movement ...
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, 24, and Elvis Andrus, 21, are both entering their second season as starters. The 24-year-old slugger Chris Davis is ready to explode after a disastrous first half in 2009. Julio Borbon, also 24, is ready to take over at the top of the order. The majority of the pitching staff is younger than 28, too -- including 21-year-old fireballer Neftali Feliz. There is really a strong foundation here for future success, so it will be interesting to see how Washington mixes and matches the future with the present, in terms of sticking with veterans.

Health Concerns ...
The Rangers' success hinges pretty strongly on three major injury risks: Josh Hamilton, Vladimir Guerrero and Rich Harden. If all three stay healthy all season and play to their collective potential, it's hard to imagine the Rangers not winning 90 games. Of course, that's a huge if. Harden hasn't started more than 26 games since 2004 and he wasn't even healthy during most of his 26 starts last year. Hamilton seems to always have an issue -- the latest was a toothache. Guerrero was durable for a long time, but he only played 100 games last season, he's no longer physically able to play the outfield with regularity and he's now 35 years old.

Digging the Long Ball ...
Despite the dip in total runs scored, the Rangers hit 224 home runs last season, tying the Phillies for second in baseball behind the Bronx Bombers. Several shifts seem to point to the Rangers hitting even more home runs this year, however. If they can get full, productive seasons from Guerrero and Hamilton -- not to mention continued improvement from the youngsters like Young and Salty -- it's reasonable to expect the Rangers to be right with the Yankees for the most round-trippers in baseball. They'll certainly be fun to watch.

Projected Opening Day Roster



2010 Outlook

The Rangers are one of the more exciting young ballclubs in the majors and they'll be looking to take another step forward in 2010. The key is for the veterans to help the young guys continue to grow as major league players -- not simply prospects with upside. If everything breaks correctly in 2010, they'll be in the playoffs for the first time since 1999. If not, well, there's always next year. This franchise has lots of good things on the horizon for the near future.