Happy Days Are Here Again for the Texas Rangers

Published: 5th Mar 12 2:10 pm
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Peter Ellwood
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Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

There is nothing quite like the feeling that comes with the advent of Spring Training each year. No matter the team, it is possible to find a plethora of reasons to look on the upcoming season with hope and optimism. Regardless of how the previous season ended, each team is presented with a clean slate on which they can begin to write their own destiny for the 162 games that are ahead of them.

This is perhaps more true for the Texas Rangers this year than any other team. This team saw their 2011 season last longer than any in franchise history, extending all the way to a World Series Game 7, and yet no satisfaction was attained, despite the honorable accomplishments of the campaign. The Rangers season ended in disappointment and frustration. As Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote on in gut-wrenching detail last week, this was a blow to each member of the team; a wound that did not quickly heal.

Now the Rangers organization is met with a new opportunity to finish the task that they have fallen just short of completing each of the last two seasons. Gone is the time for reflecting on past shortcomings. Gone are the haunting memories of “one strike away – twice”. Gone are the second guesses, the “what ifs”, and the agony of defeat. Now is the time to focus on all that is right in the world of the Rangers – now is the time to dream again.

With Spring comes the annual practice of setting expectations, developing projections, and creating prognostications of a new season. At the forefront of this practice are the following questions, each laced with a small measure of wishful thinking for the Texas Rangers organization:

  • Will Yu Darvish make a smooth transition from dominating the Japanese baseball league to being a premier MLB starter?
  • Will Derek Holland and Matt Harrison continue on their path of progression to becoming effective weapons in the starting rotation?
  • Will Neftali Feliz be able to develop and become comfortable with his off speed pitches to become at least a league-average starting pitcher after spending two and a half years throwing predominantly one pitch out of the bullpen?
  • Will Josh Hamilton’s relapse with alcohol off the field impact his production on the field, especially in the year leading up to his free agency?
  • What kind of years can be expected out of Mike Napoli, Adrian Beltre, Michael Young, and Ian Kinsler? They all had excellent 2011 seasons, but are not spring chickens anymore either.
  • Can players like Mitch Moreland and Elvis Andrus take the next step in their prospective careers, making adjustments and establishing their presence around the league and in the Rangers lineup?
  • Will Joe Nathan and Koji Uehara be able to rebound from disappointing 2011 seasons and be able to execute in their critical roles in the bullpen?
  • Will the organization continue to see some of the farm system’s top prospects of Martin Perez, Mike Olt, and Neil Ramirez develop and perhaps even contribute at the major league level this year?
  • Will the youngest of prospects such as Ronald Guzman, Nomar Mazara, Jake Skole, and Jorge Alfaro begin to show signs that they will indeed reach their high ceilings?
  • What kind of impact move, if any, will the Rangers front office make during the season? After accomplishing trades for Cliff Lee in 2010, and Mike Adams and Uehara in 2011, a pattern is beginning to develop – recognize any shortcomings of the team’s roster, and take the necessary steps to correct them.

It is a simpler time during Spring Training, in which complications like injuries, slumps, and age factors are not at the top of mind, as the easier choice is to only imagine best case scenarios. Already in the Rangers Spring Training this year, the positive reports are in abundant supply:

  • Yu Darvish is an imposing physical force with the pitching repertoire and stuff to match it, according to Jason Parks of Baseball Prospectus.
  • Scott Feldman is already delivering effective work, returning to the keys to his successful, 17-win 2009 – a cutter and sinker that are masterful at inducing ground balls.
  • Koji Uehara is reportedly refreshed, relaxed, and eager to be a Ranger for the 2012 season. He is displaying late life on his fastball, and is working on his slider to expand his arsenal of pitches.
  • Mitch Moreland’s wrist appears to have recovered after having a bone removed during the offseason, displaying improved discipline at the plate and hitting a home run in the Rangers first preseason game on Sunday.
  • Despite allowing a home run during a live batting practice session, Neftali Feliz is apparently pleased with how his change-up is improving. Jason Cole of Lone Star Dugout confirmed to me that it was in the 82-84 mph range with lively movement.

The Rangers have more than enough reason to be filled with hope. The major league roster has reached back-to-back World Series, the minor league system is among the top 5 in all of baseball, and the front office leadership is impeccably executing a plan that was devised 6 years ago with the desired results. Beyond that, this team has demonstrated the ability to overcome adversity more than any other MLB club in the last two years, and 2012 may be their greatest challenge yet.

No, the Texas Rangers have not yet achieved their ultimate goal. But it is Spring, and for now the focus can finally shift away from the gray skies and rain of Game 6. With 2011 now in the rearview mirror, and the sun shining in Surprise, Arizona, happy days are here again.

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