MLB Season Preview: Texas Rangers

With a rising payroll, enviable pitching depth, a stacked farm system, and an elite offense, the Texas Rangers have become a true baseball superpower.

Why is Mike Napoli a Ranger? Because the Angels wanted
to pay Vernon Wells a lot of money to suck at baseball.

Offense: The Rangers scored the third-most runs and had the highest batting average in the majors last year. The lineup reads like a murderers' row. Ian Kinsler is one of baseball's best second basemen, posting a 30-30 season with a .355 OBP in 2011. Elvis Andrus' numbers have only improved since cracking the majors as a 21-year-old shortstop. Josh Hamilton is still an MVP-caliber hitter when he's healthy. Adrian Beltre could be baseball's best third baseman; he's a Gold Glover who's nearly a lock to go .300-30-100. Mike Napoli, coming off an unbelievable season in which he hit .320/.414/.631 and was a postseason hero, will split time at catcher and first base. Michael Young is 35, but he hit .338 last year essentially as this team's utility infielder. Nelson Cruz's numbers dropped precipitously from 2010 to 2011 yet, as he showed in the playoffs, he continues to display massive raw power. Even role players like Mitch Moreland and Craig Gentry are solid at the bottom of the lineup. Health is the only Achilles' heel: Kinsler, Hamilton, Beltre, Napoli, and Cruz have all missed significant time within the last two years.

It's only March, and the "Yu" puns are already getting old.

Pitching: If the Rangers don't win the AL West, it will be because their pitching staff lacks a true ace now that C.J. Wilson is gone. Still, they almost won the World Series last year with Wilson pitching poorly, and there's a number of guys who could take his place atop the rotation. The big acquisition, of course, is Yu Darvish, who may not be an ace right away but could end up being the team's best starter. The other 'addition' is Neftali Feliz. Once a top starter in the minors, Feliz is moving into the rotation--a transition C.J. Wilson once conquered--to realize his full potential. Derek Holland and Matt Harrison are two more youngsters prepared to take a step forward; Holland won 16 games with a 3.95 ERA and Harrison (3.39) was even better. These four guys have so much potential that Colby Lewis, the Opening Day starter, could eventually end up being the rotation's weakest option. The depth continues into the bullpen, as Alexi Ogando and Scott Feldman could start for a lot of other teams. And Koji Uehara and Mike Adams were once elite setup men who just stumbled down the stretch. There are concerns about whether or not Joe Nathan can be a top closer again, though.

Anyone with doubts about Derek
Holland's potential can refer to
Game 4 of the 2011 World Series.

Breakout Candidates: Pretty much anyone in the rotation--Darvish, Feliz, Holland, and Harrison--is capable of becoming the team's top starter. Based on talent and the flashes of brilliance we saw last year, Holland might be the best bet.

3 Key Questions: Can Josh Hamilton set aside concerns about his contract, relapse, and health to put up big numbers? How will Yu Darvish and Neftali Feliz handle difficult transitions? And can the offense stay healthy to take the pressure off a young rotation?

Best Case Scenario: Hamilton stays healthy and focused, Napoli is an MVP candidate again, Darvish is an instant sensation, Elvis Andrus morphs into Jose Reyes Lite, and the Rangers win the World Series.

Worst Case Scenario: Darvish wilts in the Texas heat, Hamilton, Kinsler, and Cruz miss significant time, Napoli regresses, and the Rangers miss the playoffs in the hypercompetitive AL wild card race.

Predicted Finish: The Rangers essentially return everyone from last year's pennant-winning team, just swapping out Wilson for Darvish and filling Feliz's hole in the bullpen with Nathan. And there's reason to believe that the pitching will actually improve. The Rangers will win the AL West and they're well-equipped to challenge for a World Series title yet again.