Entering play tonight, the Rangers sit a full 9 games back in the division and 6.5 back for the wild card. To be honest, with the way things have gone for the pitching staff, we've gotten lucky to be even that close. Currently, there are eight pitchers on the DL, and six others have spent time on the DL, as well. That's some tough luck for a team that was counting on contributions from everyone from start to finish. As of now, the Rangers are not playoff-capable. It's tough to sit here and say that, since we're now in a ninth straight season where that is the case. However, with the direction the team is heading, it's not difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel anymore. Several younger players have seen extensive playing time this year, and it's easy to see them getting over the hump within the next year or two. The guys like Eric Hurley, Scott Feldman, Doug Mathis, and AJ Murray have all come to Arlington over the course of the season and showed promise. That's a great change over past seasons where we wonder who will fill out our #2, 3, 4, and 5 spots in the rotation the following year (if we had that many pitchers capable of pitching five Major League innings in one day). I'm not saying that those four players will be four of our starters come next April, but it's refreshing to see us have options.
As for the next nine days, I don't want to see any of our developing talent leaving the organization. I don't want a reliever we'll have control of for a single year (or perhaps two). Relievers cost both prospects and money these days, and the final year of arbitration will be prohibitive if next year turns out to be another year for developing young talent on the Major League level rather than actually competing for a playoff spot. If we're going to spend money and prospects, I want it to be for someone that will definitely be here when 2010 and/or 2011 roll around. That means players with less than four Major League years at the conclusion of this season. That way, they'll be cost-effective while we continue to develop talent, and they'll be more likely to give the results needed when the time rolls around for another run into October. In summation, it is too early. We see guys like Chris Davis and Max Ramirez and immediately think they'll be leading a 90-95 win Ranger team in 2009. Honestly, I don't see that happening at all. If they win 85 games next year, I'll be happy. This year and next need to be about developing what we have and building upon it with cost-effective players brought in. Save the money and use it when we're relevant. The Texas Rangers are in good shape for a long run of success. Let's not jump the gun and cut off the best years of that potential run.
Overall, the Rangers have been such a pleasing surprise to this point. The lineup has produced above expectations, and the pitching staff has done just enough to keep us in it while battling an epic number of injuries along the way. If our defense and pitching staff improve steadily, we're a playoff team by 2010. I would gladly give away some of the run production in our lineup if that meant better pitching and defense. However, in our current state, I'm happy to say we have four all-stars hitting in the #1-4 slots in the lineup almost every day. They're exciting to watch. I expect every half-inning to include a run or two (hitting or fielding). One of these days, I'm going to tune into more 5-3 Ranger wins and less 8-7 Ranger losses. When that day comes, we'll all be happy we didn't make that trade that took away that key player that had the two-run single to pull ahead in the seventh inning.
0 comments:
Post a Comment