Rangers Better or Worse in 2011?

This off season has seen a great number of changes for the defending AL champions. For starters, pitching ace Cliff Lee has left Texas in what appears to be pursuit of seven or eight consecutive World Series titles with the Phillies who, in my opinion, already had the most solid starting pitching in the NL before adding the left handed version of their very own Roy Halladay. After failing to persuade Lee to remain in Texas for 2011, the Rangers signed recent Cy Young winner, Brandon Webb to a contract full of stipulations that were based on the concern of his recent injury problems. We've yet to see what Webb has to offer as a starting pitcher, but right now the potential ace is projected to be the number three starter behind lefty CJ Wilson and Colby Lewis, who was recently brought over to Texas after refining his pitching skills in Japan. The difference in the top three rotation spots between this season and last is the difference between Lee and Webb, which has yet to be seen. Last season, Lee went 4-6 with a 3.98 ERA in 15 starts for the Rangers, and I believe that if Webb, the former Cy Young winner, can't pull off a .400 winning percentage and basically a 4.00 ERA, then someone else, from the fourth of fifth rotation spot will be able to, and that alone will make the Rangers better in 2011 than they were in 2010.

The presumption that Cliff Lee made this team the AL champs in 2010, to me at least, is way off. Granted he had terrific starts in the playoffs, and that's not to be overlooked, but by no means did Cliff "take this team" to the world series. In fact, Lee wasn't even signed until August when the Rangers already had a substantial lead in the AL West, and when Lee finally got here, his stats plummeted. I think it's safe to say the Rangers could've found a 4 game winner over 15 starts from someone else in their staff, and continued their success in the playoffs without Lee, the same way they were successful for the majority of the regular season in 2010 without Cliff Lee.

The top prospects for the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation behind Wilson, Lewis, and Webb are Tommy "Big Game" Hunter, and last year's AL Rookie of the Year, closer Neftali Feliz who's trying to win the fifth spot over incumbent fifth starter, Derek Holland. Left-hander Michael Kirkman also has a chance, but will likely start the season as a long reliever. My guess is Holland and Kirkman will get a few starts in 2011, but Feliz will ultimately win the job, which brings me to my next point.

The discussion recently on MLB Network's "Hot Stove" included the analysts debating whether Feliz could have success moving from the closer roll to the rotation for the Rangers in 2011. MLB analyst, Mitch Williams, (I just can't get over the fact that this guy gets paid to speak in front of people) was of the opinion that a closer is a closer, and you can't change that, no matter what. Another analyst compared Feliz to Yankee reliever, Joba Chamberlain, who failed miserably at the opportunity to transition from closer or set-up man to starter, and sided with Williams on dismissing the idea that Feliz could become a starter. What I would like to point out is what these highly paid network analysts forgot to mention: CJ WILSON made the very same transition, for the Rangers, just last year, and were it not for the post-mid-season acquisition of Cliff Lee, would have been the Ranger's number one starter going into the playoffs! In fact, Wilson, who went 15-8 in 33 starts, with a 3.35 ERA in over 200 innings, was the Rangers most valuable pitcher all season in 2010; not Cliff Lee with his sub .500 record and worse ERA in half the starts. What I'm saying is, the Rangers are not automatically a worse team without Cliff Lee this season, in fact, I think they're much better! I have very high hopes for Feliz as a starter.

I could see him as a Felix Hernandez type starter in two or three years if he can develop a good cutter or slider, and for 2011, could possibly be a Justin Verlander type guy with his overpowering fastball, and change-up, which makes his 98 mph fastball look more like a 110 mph fastball. If he mixes those two pitches effectively, it won't matter how many times guys get a chance to see him as a starter, he'll continue to dominate big league hitters.

The Texas outfield remains one of the top outfields in all of baseball with sluggers Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz in the corners, and speedy center fielder, Julio Borbon, presumably batting in the 9th spot. Backup outfielder David Murphy remains with the club as the 4th outfielder and pinch hitter, and he's no slouch. Murphy was a big reason for the Ranger's playoff appearance in 2010 as he stepped up in August with MVP Josh Hamilton injured, and put up monster stats as his replacement. This guy could be a starting outfielder for 27 or 28 other clubs, but here in Texas, he gives the Rangers unrivaled depth in the outfield.

The Texas infield will see Mitch Moreland and Mike Napoli platooning at first base, Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus in the middle and newly acquired Adrian Beltre playing third. It's no question Beltre is a defensive upgrade at third base over Michael Young, who had 19 errors in 2010, but he does move the Rangers captain out of the infield to the DH spot. I don't have any doubts that Young will be successful as the designated hitter, and as he can still play fine defense all over the infield, will be a Omar Vizquel type, veteran presence off the bench. You'll remember that Visquel was a very valuable piece of the 2009 club filling in for multiple defensive positions and getting some clutch hits. The difference is Young is a prolific hitter in addition to his versatility at defense, and he, along with Beltre as the every day third baseman make this club a lot better going into 2011.

Lastly, let's take a look behind the plate. Last year, Matt Treanor and Benjie Molina (who hit for the cycle as a Ranger) were a terrific defensive duo at catcher. This year, Yorvit Torrealba will likely be the Rangers everyday catcher, with Treanor remaining as a possible specialist for catching CJ WIlson, and Napoli, who was picked up from the Angels, will also do some catching as well as playing first base some, and pinch hitting. In 2010, Molina hit .240 with 2 home runs and 19 RBIs in 57 games as a Ranger, and Treanor hit just .211 with 5 home runs and 27 RBI in 82 games. Torrealba, who is definitely a defensive upgrade, brings with him the league lead from 2010 in catcher's ERA, meaning he's the best in the league at calling ball games, hit .271 in 2010 with 7 home runs and 37 RBIs as the starting catcher for the Padre's last season, which makes him a significant offensive upgrade behind the plate as well.

So let's recap:
Pitching - better
Outfield - draw
Infield/DH combo - better
Catcher - better

Take all that into account, combined with the fact that the 2010 Rangers won the American League championship, and I'd say here in Texas, there's a legitimate shot at winning the world series. (Let's just hope 2 or 3 of those starters in Philadelphia need a second or third Tommy John's surgery.)