Going Going Gagne
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/755/1/Going-Going-Gagne/Going-Going-Gagne.html
Steven Michalovich
Steven Michalovich has been writing for Atomic Sports Media since February 2006 and is a senior at The Ohio state University.Michalovich will graduate in June 2007 with a degree in strategic communication and a minor in business. He is a huge Ohio State, Cleveland sports and Columbus Blue Jackets fan, and his ideal career would be to work in public relations and marketing for a major sports franchise.
By Steven Michalovich
Published on 03/2/2007
The Rangers are crossing their fingers that Eric Gagne can be half the closer he used to be. In ASM's 30 in 30, Steve Michalovich says that even a healthy Gagne won't be enough to get Texas into the postseason.
The Rangers are crossing their fingers that Eric Gagne can be half the closer he used to be. In ASM's 30 in 30, Steve Michalovich says that even a healthy Gagne won't be enough to get Texas into the postseason.
Going Going Gagne
The baseball franchise that calls Arlington, Texas home should be extra excited that their manager is no longer Buck Showalter. The last two teams that Showalter has left have gone on to win the World Series the very next season (1996 Yankees, 2001 Diamondbacks).
So if recent history continues its trend, the Texas Rangers may be the champions of baseball at the end of October.
Who’s to say that the Rangers shouldn’t be considered as a favorite to win it all? They certainly have a sporting chance at winning their division after going 80-82 a season ago; let’s not forget that the Cards only won 83 regular season games en route to winning last years World Series. While Texas hasn’t won a division title yet this century, it is always a battle down the stretch to see which team from the American League West will make it to the postseason.
And if Texas gets hot at the right time, they may be able to sneak into the World Series and pulverize a National League team that wouldn’t make the playoffs to begin with if it were in the American League. That being said, a lot needs to fall into place for this team to even have a shot at the playoffs.
In the late 90’s, Texas was almost always a lock for the playoffs. Since then, the team has often been on the brink of success, but hasn’t always found all of the right pieces. That isn’t to say they aren’t headed on the right track.
New Manager Ron Washington is said to be a “player’s manager” and may connect with a team that appeared to hardly even speak to each other under Showalter. Washington is said to have a lot of energy and connect well with a variety of players. Managers such as Ozzie Guillen and Jim Leyland seem to have a quality working relationship with their players, and we know how well that has panned out the past two years.
So if recent history continues its trend, the Texas Rangers may be the champions of baseball at the end of October.
Who’s to say that the Rangers shouldn’t be considered as a favorite to win it all? They certainly have a sporting chance at winning their division after going 80-82 a season ago; let’s not forget that the Cards only won 83 regular season games en route to winning last years World Series. While Texas hasn’t won a division title yet this century, it is always a battle down the stretch to see which team from the American League West will make it to the postseason.
And if Texas gets hot at the right time, they may be able to sneak into the World Series and pulverize a National League team that wouldn’t make the playoffs to begin with if it were in the American League. That being said, a lot needs to fall into place for this team to even have a shot at the playoffs.
In the late 90’s, Texas was almost always a lock for the playoffs. Since then, the team has often been on the brink of success, but hasn’t always found all of the right pieces. That isn’t to say they aren’t headed on the right track.
New Manager Ron Washington is said to be a “player’s manager” and may connect with a team that appeared to hardly even speak to each other under Showalter. Washington is said to have a lot of energy and connect well with a variety of players. Managers such as Ozzie Guillen and Jim Leyland seem to have a quality working relationship with their players, and we know how well that has panned out the past two years.
Going Going Gagne
Pitching has always been an issue with this club. Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla will anchor the rotation and won 31 games combined last year. The guys pitching on the third, fourth and fifth days don’t bring that kind of resume to the table, but could contribute solid season. Twenty-three-year-old Brandon McCarthy (acquired via trade from the White Sox), will probably be the number three starter, and has shown flashes of being a star in the making during his brief career. Another youngster, Robinson Tejeda is expected to contribute as the number four. He had a 2.32 ERA in nine games after getting called up in August. The last spot will go to Kameron Loe, John Koronka or Josh Rupe unless another option becomes available.
While pitching has been an issue, the key to this team’s success lies on the shoulders of Hank Blalock.
One more time Texas Rangers fans, the key to this team’s success lies on the shoulders of Hank Blalock.
If Blalock can play a solid third base and put up numbers that compare with his 2003 campaign (.300 batting average and 29 home runs), this team will be a force to be dealt with. If he continues his recent trend of low production and unreliable defense, the Rangers will not be there in October. With a protective bat behind Michael Young and Mark Teixeria, the Rangers would have a heart of the order as good as there is in baseball. If Blalock’s glove can be as sharp as it has been in the past, he also rounds out an infield that has a potential Gold Glover at every position.
Michael Young, behind Derek Jeter, is the most complete shortstop in the game. With a line like .314, 14 and 103, a terrific glove and, most importantly, a knack for clutch hits, it’s hard to argue otherwise. Teixeria hit 33 home runs and drove in 110 batting behind Young in 2006 and earned a Gold Glove for his slick defense at first. He is a lock for the same kind of season. Ian Kinsler will be the opening day starter at second and is supposed to be another Young in the making. If Kinsler pans out and Blalock can bounce back, the infield will be the highlight of this team offensively and defensively.
Aside from the rotation and Blalock, another intriguing component to this team is the acquisition of Eric Gagne. He has only pitched 15.1 innings the last two years, but prior to that, he was one of the most dominant relievers in baseball. If he can bounce back from injury and be a top closer once again, it will allow Akinori Otsuka, last year’s closer, to move to a set-up role. Frank Francisco, most famous for the “chair-throwing incident” in 2004, hasn’t been the same since then, but could bounce back as he rounds out the rest of the pen with Wes Littleton, C.J. Wilson, Joaquin Benoit and Ron Mahay.
While pitching has been an issue, the key to this team’s success lies on the shoulders of Hank Blalock.
One more time Texas Rangers fans, the key to this team’s success lies on the shoulders of Hank Blalock.
If Blalock can play a solid third base and put up numbers that compare with his 2003 campaign (.300 batting average and 29 home runs), this team will be a force to be dealt with. If he continues his recent trend of low production and unreliable defense, the Rangers will not be there in October. With a protective bat behind Michael Young and Mark Teixeria, the Rangers would have a heart of the order as good as there is in baseball. If Blalock’s glove can be as sharp as it has been in the past, he also rounds out an infield that has a potential Gold Glover at every position.
Michael Young, behind Derek Jeter, is the most complete shortstop in the game. With a line like .314, 14 and 103, a terrific glove and, most importantly, a knack for clutch hits, it’s hard to argue otherwise. Teixeria hit 33 home runs and drove in 110 batting behind Young in 2006 and earned a Gold Glove for his slick defense at first. He is a lock for the same kind of season. Ian Kinsler will be the opening day starter at second and is supposed to be another Young in the making. If Kinsler pans out and Blalock can bounce back, the infield will be the highlight of this team offensively and defensively.
Aside from the rotation and Blalock, another intriguing component to this team is the acquisition of Eric Gagne. He has only pitched 15.1 innings the last two years, but prior to that, he was one of the most dominant relievers in baseball. If he can bounce back from injury and be a top closer once again, it will allow Akinori Otsuka, last year’s closer, to move to a set-up role. Frank Francisco, most famous for the “chair-throwing incident” in 2004, hasn’t been the same since then, but could bounce back as he rounds out the rest of the pen with Wes Littleton, C.J. Wilson, Joaquin Benoit and Ron Mahay.
Going Going Gagne
The outfield production could go one of two ways. The good way: an underrated, all-around hitter, a veteran speedster who can still get it done and a young, power hitter batting behind Blalock and Teixeira. The bad way: The second lowest batting average in the AL, a washed up centerfielder who can’t throw and a kid who can’t hit anything but fastballs.
The projected starters at this time are Brad Wilkerson, Kenny Lofton and Nelson Cruz. Wilkerson couldn’t hit anything last season, and needs to justify his presence in the lineup after the .222 he put up last year. Lofton continues to play well at age 39 and will be the leadoff hitter and centerfielder, despite his weak arm. Cruz has trouble with breaking balls but has tremendous power. There are a few others who could fill any outfield spot if he can’t hack it. Oh yeah, the Rangers also invited a man by the name of Sammy Sosa to spring training camp. No one has any idea what to expect out of him at this point.
The Rangers decided to stick with Gerald Laird at catcher and let Rod Barajas go. Laird was solid defensively last year, although he faded with the bat in September. Still, he did hit .296 in 78 games, and the Rangers are counting on continued improvement from Laird.
Frank Catalanotto may not have the power of a typical DH, but his .300 average last year with Toronto makes him a good fit for Texas. Catalanotto will bat in the two-hole, which justifies having Young hit third with an “on-base” guy in front of him.
The projected starters at this time are Brad Wilkerson, Kenny Lofton and Nelson Cruz. Wilkerson couldn’t hit anything last season, and needs to justify his presence in the lineup after the .222 he put up last year. Lofton continues to play well at age 39 and will be the leadoff hitter and centerfielder, despite his weak arm. Cruz has trouble with breaking balls but has tremendous power. There are a few others who could fill any outfield spot if he can’t hack it. Oh yeah, the Rangers also invited a man by the name of Sammy Sosa to spring training camp. No one has any idea what to expect out of him at this point.
The Rangers decided to stick with Gerald Laird at catcher and let Rod Barajas go. Laird was solid defensively last year, although he faded with the bat in September. Still, he did hit .296 in 78 games, and the Rangers are counting on continued improvement from Laird.
Frank Catalanotto may not have the power of a typical DH, but his .300 average last year with Toronto makes him a good fit for Texas. Catalanotto will bat in the two-hole, which justifies having Young hit third with an “on-base” guy in front of him.
Going Going Gagne
The bench is mostly undecided. Marlon Byrd and Jerry Hairston Jr. are the most notable players trying to make a splash on this team. They both will need to show that they can hit for a better average than they have in recent years. Just like every team in baseball, the Rangers are depending on some young, raw talent and some experienced veterans to come together and complement the franchise players.
It may not be wise to bet all your apples on the play of Blalock, the health of Gagne and the production of the bottom part of the rotation and the outfield. Still, Texas has an intriguing mix of players, and if they can come together and play the way they are projected to, the Rangers may be atop of the crapshoot that is the AL West when all is said and done.
It will be interesting to see how the players respond to Washington, especially if there is more pizzazz and excitement surrounding the team. The Rangers should finish above .500 this season, but not much more. They have a better shot at winning the division than earning a Wild Card birth with the other two divisions in the AL, so those games with the Angels and Athletics will be critical down the stretch. This team may be another year away from getting to the postseason, but they should make it close till the end. Look for a second place finish in the AL West, and for Buck Showalter to breathe a sigh of relief at season’s end.
2006: 80-82 (3rd in AL West)
It may not be wise to bet all your apples on the play of Blalock, the health of Gagne and the production of the bottom part of the rotation and the outfield. Still, Texas has an intriguing mix of players, and if they can come together and play the way they are projected to, the Rangers may be atop of the crapshoot that is the AL West when all is said and done.
It will be interesting to see how the players respond to Washington, especially if there is more pizzazz and excitement surrounding the team. The Rangers should finish above .500 this season, but not much more. They have a better shot at winning the division than earning a Wild Card birth with the other two divisions in the AL, so those games with the Angels and Athletics will be critical down the stretch. This team may be another year away from getting to the postseason, but they should make it close till the end. Look for a second place finish in the AL West, and for Buck Showalter to breathe a sigh of relief at season’s end.
2006: 80-82 (3rd in AL West)