(Over the next 30 days, BERNing on Sports will be previewing every team in the Majors, yes, even the Royals. Only one a day, every day, so try not to get too hooked)
Keeping It Real
Every year it seems, the Texas Rangers run into the same confounding problem: they can score runs with just about anyone in the league, but seem to have a little problem stopping the other team from doing the same. Last year, to no one's surprise, the Rangers ranked last in team ERA. They've been in the bottom half of the league in that category (more often in the bottom 5) since at least 2002. And that's only because Yahoo!'s database doesn't go back further. I'm sure they stunk before then. Either way, they did try to court Ben Sheets, which was a fine effort, but nothing came of it. Instead, they enter 2009 with Kevin Millwood and Vincente Padilla in contract years as the front members of a rag-tag rotation. The lineup is again loaded, though now more than ever with young, less-proven talent like Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Elvis Andrus, and Chris Davis. I don't doubt the ability of any of those guys, but outside of Hamilton, it might be a lot to ask them all to perform so early in there careers. Oh, and Andruw Jones has decided he wanted to put down the cheeseburgers and try playing baseball again. So that's exciting. Best of luck pal.
More Pitching Staff Ripping
The only thing I can say positively about this staff is that there aren't many retreads, besides Kris Benson. By the way, Kris, get over it. If you weren't drafted first overall, people would have long gotten over the fact that you're amazingly mediocre. On the other hand, who the hell is Matt Harrison? Or Scott Feldman? Or Tommy Hunter or Dustin Nippert? These are guys that I only know having been a fantasy nerd and having played in an AL-Only league for 3 years. I'm sure Nolan Ryan doesn't even know who some of these "young guns" are. The only uniting factors about these young guys are that they are, well, young and that they all sport ERAs near or above 6. As for Millwood and Padilla, I'm amazed they still are pitching in the front end of a rotation. These guys long ago proved they're not consistent, top-end pitchers. Neither throws hard or with a ton of command nowadays. Meatball city, in Arlington. Can't wait til my team gets to go down there.
The King Has Left The Building
Well, not really. In fact, prized shortstop prospect Elvis Andrus has just entered the building, but I couldn't really think of any Elvis-related slogans that made any more sense. Maybe, "Thank you, thank you very much" for moving a gold glover out of my position when I'm clearly not ready for a full-time gig. Yeah, that might have done better. Andrus hasn't hit over Double A yet and struggled mightily in the field last year (32 errors at short). Though he did produce well while there last year (.295 with 50+ steals), the expectations for him will (should be, at least) lower for him as he'll likely bat 9th. Why they felt the need to rush him up to the big leagues when there clearly wasn't a real reason for it, I'll never know. I just hope it's not one of those deals where his growth winds up being stunted because he came up too early. Not that I really care about Elvis Andrus, but, still, I'd rather not see it happen.
From Throwing Chairs, To Throwing Strikes
This is the tale of Frank Francisco, a cautionary one to be sure. Only a few short years ago, Francisco was a disgruntled reliever best known for being a psycho. A Tommy John surgery and a few anger management classes later, Francisco enters 2009 as the team's closer, something that they aren't too concerned about. In his final 12.2 innings of the last month plus of last season as the closer, Francisco didn't allow a run, saved 5 games, won another, and struck out 21 while only walking 4. Granted, it was a short span, but, maybe the Rangers might have a weapon in the bullpen. I don't think it's much of a coincidence that the last time the Rangers were over .500 (2004) was the year another unheralded Francisco burst onto the scene in the back end of the pen.
Bold Predictions
Someone will let fantasy owners down, big time. Maybe it'll be Chris Davis. Maybe Josh Hamilton, or Nelson Cruz on a lesser scale. Point is, not all of these guys are primed for huge offensive years. Usually doesn't work that way.
Frank Francisco won't be as good as his Franciscan predecessor, but he will enjoy a violence-free, solid season. Somewhere between 25-30 saves.
No one mentions this guy, but if it wasn't for a knee injury ending his season prematurely last year, he'd be all the rage. David Murphy will continue where he left off, expect 20 homers and near 90 RBIs out of the left fielder.
Up Next...Wednesday, Diamondbacks
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