Hank Blalock should be getting better with every season, not worse, but that is not the case.
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What Went Right?
Not much good came out of the Rangers season in 2007, but there was one memorable highlight from a year in which they finished 19 games back in the West: the historic 30-3 win over Baltimore on August 22.
Sammy Sosa made a return to baseball after leaving the game due to injuries suffered during an embarrassing season with Baltimore in 2005. Sosa returned with a bang hitting 21 homers and driving in 92 in only 114 games and 412 at bats. His average (.252) and OBP (.311) struggled, but Sosa made it clear he can still play baseball even at the age of 39.
Michael Young put up nice numbers in his 2007 campaign (.315, 9, 94), but maybe just a little under what we expect from Michael Young as his home run total dipped to its lowest since 2002. Young is the centerpiece of their offense now with the departure of the rest of the top of the lineup and it is up to him to produce and make things happen.
Ian Kinsler appears to be emerging as one of the best young second basemen in the game, raising both his home run and RBI totals by six each (20, 61) and increasing his OBP from his rookie season in 2006 by eight points to .355. Kinsler is very close to becoming a standout in the league as shown by his power numbers, but his pitch selection needs to improve to raise his batting average, and it should with experience.
In the pen, Joaquin Benoit tried to hold down the entire fort by himself, pitching in 70 games and racking up 82 innings. The right-hander put together a 7-4 record and impressive 2.85 ERA and 11.7 WHIP, striking out 87 while walking 28, and holding opponents to a .225 batting average against. There is no reason for the Rangers not to let Benoit begin the season as the closer and stay within the organization for the opening rather than sign a free agent to a ridiculous deal. They have moved in the right direction by cutting salary and going with youth, why not see Benoit has to offer as the full-time closer or give someone within the system a chance?
What Went Wrong?
Texas had five starters (Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Kameron Loe, Brandon McCarthy, and Robinson Tejada) who made 19 or more starts this season and their combined record was 32-45 with an ERA of 5.55. The only starter to make even close to a year’s worth of starts was Millwood, who even came up shy with 31. In total, the Rangers had 15 different pitchers start a game for them as well as seven different pitchers save a game for them.
Consistency in the lineup became a major problem for the lowly Rangers over the course of the summer as after Young’s 156 games played in, Kinsler followed up with 130 while only six other players reached the 100-game plateau, none of them receiving more than 414 at bats.
With the lineup in constant disarray, every position saw a ridiculous amount of players in the organization try to fill in and their numbers are as follows: C (8), 1B (6), 2B (5), 3B (6), SS (4), LF (12), CF (7), RF (8). Wow is all that can really be said for that.
The Moves They Made
The trade that hurt the Rangers the most was sending Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay to Atlanta for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and four prospects. Texas really had no choice as two weeks prior to the July 30th trade, Teixeira turned down an 8-year, $140 million deal and it became clear they would eventually lose him to free agency anyways.
It appears Texas came out on the winning end of the Éric Gagné trade on July 31st, receiving Kason Gabbard (6-1, 4.65), David Murphy (.343, 2, 14), and minor league Engel Beltre. Gagné went on to win a ring, though he did not contribute in any way, shape, or form to the Red Sox championship while Texas got a good lock at where Gabbard sits in their future rotation and Murphy’s place on the club in the coming seasons as well.
Kenny Lofton was sent back to Cleveland for what seems like the 52nd time, finishing the season at .296 with 7 home runs and 38 RBI. He was the most involved player in the Indians win over the Yankees in the ALDS, but he will remembered this season for not heading home on that ball hit to Manny Ramirez in the ALCS.
The Moves They Did Not Make (But Should Have)
The Rangers did not really miss out on any opportunities and did the right thing letting the players go that they did to cut payroll and build a younger club for the future. But as has been the Texas problems forever is once against starting pitching and they will never contend as long as they are unable to field a rotation with a reliable No. 1 and No. 2.
Where Now?
Texas could not afford to go higher than $17.5 annually to Teixeira and rightfully so, as the switch-hitting first baseman rejected their extension offer. Texas needs to clean up their pitching staff, both starters and relievers and maintain a consistent lineup in order to be competitive in 2008 and beyond. Their lineup can produce some serious offense, but they need to have a chance in games while their starters are in to do so. I do not expect Texas to be a club to watch out for this coming season, but they can be one in the near future with the right moves.
Fantasy Corner
Three Keepers
1. Ian Kinsler - Breakout season around the corner with 25+ home runs.
2. Hank Blalock - 10 long balls in only 58 games due to injury-filled season. A healthy Hank could hit 30 once again.
3. Michael Young - It is tempting to trade the shortstop, but stick with him, as he will make this offense go.
Three Sleepers
1. Joaquin Benoit - Without a true closer right now, Benoit could easily fill that void.
2. Brandon McCarthy - There has to be some reason the White Sox and now the Rangers like him, and I bet we see just why in 2008.
3. Edinson Volquez - He finally found his control in the big leagues and with 7.68 K/9, he can easily become a fixture in the rotation.
