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Date Posted: 15:02:50 04/01/02 Mon
Author: Danny
Subject: Not gonna happen

Every year I post something here giving reasons why the Rangers will win their division. The World Series isn't even worth considering for them, so I try to shoehorn them into the playoffs, giving some great theory of mine.
This year, that isn't going to happen. I do not see anything that leads me to think that this team can reach .500, much less the 100 wins it should take to win the AL West.

Things working for the Rangers.
The Offense: That isn't exactly going out on a limb. Juando, Arod, Raffy, Pudge, Catalanotto, Greer, Blalock, Everett, the list goes on.
Infield Defense: It should be better than average and WILL be better than last year. Mike Young is as good a defensive 2b as there is in the AL, Arod is as good as anyone not named Omar. Blalock surprised alot of people with his D in spring training and while Palmeiro doesn't have the range he did a few years ago, he still handles everything he gets to.
Chan Ho Park and Kenny Rogers: I was worried about Park's almost 2 runs lower ERA at Dodgers Stadium over his career, and I guess that is still a concern. I don't think all of his success can be credited to that though. I think there is a certain level of comfort guys like him have at home. For instance, last year, Rick Helling had a 3.78 ERA in the ballpark, 6.82 on the road. Helling is a fly ball pitcher and Arlington is where fly ball pitchers go to die. But he still managed a home ERA that was 3 runs less than the road ERA. That says alot about comfort at home. Or maybe it says nothing at all. I still think that Park will be fine this year.
Kenny Rogers, I don't know why, but I think he has one more good year left. Last year he was crappy and then he was lost for the year after surgery to remove a rib, which I think hampered alot. His "fastball" was regularly clocked around 80 MPH. Thats ridiculous even for a crafty lefthander.
This Spring, Rogers' fastball was back around 90. It may be back to around 87 MPH or so, but he knows how to pitch with that. Doug Davis will probably also be good, but not much is expected out of him, so elaboration isn't really needed.

Things that are working against the Rangers.

Bullpen: This was a strong point about a month ago. Zimmerman heading into the spring as the closer, Venefro, Moreno and Rocker from the left side, Van Popple and Powell from the right.
Now, Zimmerman is out till May, Venefro was traded along with Carlos Pena for NO ONE who will help the team this year. Moreno got released, Powell is injured and Rocker is now the closer. Something he wasn't so hot at last year.

Outfield Defense: There will be times when Juan Gonzalez will be the best defensive player in the outfield. That is scary. Everett doesn't have the range to play center in the ballpark, which is one of the toughest center fields to play in baseball. You need someone who can fly out there. Catalanotto's instincts aren't really good, but he did show improvement in the OF last year. Greer just doesn't have it anymore, every time he goes all out for a ball, he ends up pulling something. Kapler is solid and a hard worker, but is better suited to play left than center.

The AL West: Oakland may be worse, that offense just has too many questions. The Mariners can't be better, so that means they will be worse. The Angels will probably improve alot, and may even get into the post-season. They are going to need some major retrenching jobs from Salmon and Erstadt. That pitching staff, top to bottom, is solid.
What I am saying is that those three teams have a lot fewer questions that they need to answer than the Rangers. If there is a God, the Rangers last place finish with a 105 mil payroll will result in the firing of John Hart.

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