Calm Before the Storm

> Rangers 6, Marlins 4
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For the second consecutive day the game was an afterthought following another trade. The Rangers have dealt outfielder David Dellucci to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Robinson Tejeda and outfielder Jake Blalock, another move aimed at improving the rotation.

First of all, it will be sad to see Dellucci go. Not only was he very popular among his teammates and fans, but he has also been quietly productive for the Rangers over the last couple of seasons. However, this might be an example of selling high. A couple of years ago the Rangers rescued Dellucci off the scrapheap during the offseason, but since then he has played better than they ever could have imagined. He hits for power and is adept at drawing walks, but he also has shortcomings. Dellucci strikes out a lot and is not very good at all defensively, and critics argue that his career season last year was a fluke and that his numbers were inflated by Ameriquest Field. But in my opinion, Dellucci is for real and is exactly the type of player you want on your team. He will be sorely missed.

The Rangers are getting some quality players in return, though. Robinson Tejeda made his debut as a rookie last season in Philadelphia and did very well, posting a 3.57 earned run average in thirteen starts and thirteen relief appearances. The troublesome stat that stands out is the number of walks he allowed, a whopping 51 in just over 85 innings of work. However, he offset that by allowing only 67 hits and five home runs. He is a power pitcher that gets a lot of strikeouts, but the walks are obviously a concern. He has a ton of potential though, and I really think that he has a chance to have a breakout season this year. Due to the birth of his son this weekend he will start the year in the minor leagues and John Koronka will start as scheduled on Friday. However, look for Tejeda to be added to the rotation very soon.

The other player the Rangers received in the trade with the Phillies was minor league outfielder Jake Blalock. As you may have guessed, Jake is the younger brother of third baseman Hank Blalock. Having brothers on the same team can be a very good thing; it improves team chemistry and sometimes improves the production of the players, but Jake still has a long way to go before he makes it to the big leagues. He is a projected power hitter, but unlike his brother he bats right-handed. He's a good prospect and an excellent addition to the Rangers' minor league system.

When everything is taken into consideration, I think this will end up being a good trade for the Rangers. Tejeda has the ability to be a frontline major league starter and Blalock is a terrific young prospect. The thing I'm most concerned about is the reaction of the players. Dellucci was very popular with his teammates, and I worry that their disappointment over his departure and potential displeasure with the front office could effect team camaraderie. This also leaves the Rangers thin in the outfield until Gary Matthews returns, with Laynce Nix playing everyday and Adrian Brown making the team as a reserve.

Which brings me to the next topic of discussion, the roster, which the Rangers finalized on Saturday. It was basically what I expected it to be, but there were a few surprises. With Dellucci traded, there was a need for an extra outfielder and Adrian Brown made the team over Adam Hyzdu, who had a much better spring. Brown's speed was likely a large factor in the decision, but I would have personally preferred Hyzdu, who provides a little more pop as a pinch hitter. Scott Feldman and Fabio Castro both made the team as relievers and to make room the Rangers were forced to designate Erasmo Ramirez for assignment. He'll probably get picked up by another team, but there's a chance that he could clear waivers.

The Rangers defeated the Marlins 6-4 in their final spring training game at Ameriquest Field, again scoring all of their runs via the long ball. Brad Wilkerson hit two home runs in his first game in Arlington, and Mark Teixeira and Mark DeRosa also went deep. R.A. Dickey made the start and was solid for three of his four innings, but he struggled in the third as he gave up a grand slam to Miguel Cabrera. It definitely seemed like the players were eager to just get the game over with and for opening day to arrive.

Due to a very busy weekend, I'm going to have to write up my season preview tomorrow after I get home from the game. As I type this, opening day is approximately thirteen hours away. I have no idea how I'm going to get through first period tomorrow.

> Monday, April 3, 2006
Boston Red Sox @ Texas Rangers
1:05, Ameriquest Field in Arlington, ch4, ESPN2, KRLD 1080
Curt Schilling (0-0, --- ERA) vs. Kevin Millwood (0-0, --- ERA)

The Happenings of Frisco

> Rangers 4, Marlins 1
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There was a game out in Frisco last night, but the biggest news of the night was the trade. Like I predicted, it wasn't a blockbuster. It was more of a shocker. Juan Dominguez is gone; the Rangers have finally given up on the once promising young pitcher, sending him to the Oakland Athletics for pitcher John Rheinecker and infielder Freddie Bynum, and then dealing Bynum to the Chicago Cubs for pitcher John Koronka.

The Rangers had finally seen enough of Dominguez and his antics. He had unlimited talent, and with a little maturity would no doubt have been an effective pitcher in the majors. But Dominguez repeatedly missed team meetings, showed up late to workouts, slept through games, didn't watch his weight, and overall showed an unwillingness to learn. He was incredibly inconsistent during his time with the Rangers; frequently he would follow up a remarkable start with a lackluster one. I guess that the front office and the coaching staff came to the conclusion that Dominguez was never going to figure it out.

The Rangers received two pitchers in the deal, John Rheinecker and John Koronka. Both of them are left-handed and can be starters or relievers, but Rheinecker will likely begin the year in the AAA rotation while Koronka is scheduled to start this Friday against the Detroit Tigers. Rheinecker was once one of the top prospects in Oakland's minor league system, but his production has tailed off over the last couple of years. Koronka was once a Rule 5 pick of the Rangers, but he didn't make the team and was returned to his original team. He's definitely a stretch to be in the rotation, but the Rangers will only need a fifth starter three times in April. Koronka will get a chance, but by May or June you might see Josh Rupe, Edinson Volquez, Brian Anderson, or possibly even Adam Eaton.

This trade could definitely come back to sting the Rangers. If Dominguez finally gets his act together, it will be painful if it comes with the rival Oakland Athletics. To me, there doesn't seem to be a lot of upside to the trade. Sure, Rheinecker and Koronka have a chance to be solid major league pitchers. But there's a lot of talent leaving with Dominguez, and the Rangers might have made a mistake by trading him now when his value is so low.

As for the game, the Rangers defeated the Florida Marlins 4-1 behind solid pitching by Kameron Loe and three more home runs from the offense. The game was played in Frisco, the first ever major league game (exhibition or otherwise) to be played in the minor league park. A good crowd was on hand, and it was a great chance for the Rangers to showcase one of the finest minor league facilities in the country.

Loe was held to four innings as the coaches didn't want to overexert him before the season starts. His command was a little off but he still managed to have a solid outing, allowing one run on three hits, two walks, and one home run while striking out two. The bullpen was excellent, as Fabio Castro, Erasmo Ramirez, Joaquin Benoit, Antonio Alfonseca, and Francisco Cordero each worked one shutout inning in relief of Loe. Cordero was especially impressive, striking out the side in the ninth inning to earn the save.

Mark Teixeira is on fire heading into the regular season, smashing a two-run homer that was his third home run in as many days. Brad Wilkerson homered to lead off the game for Texas, and David Dellucci hit his fifth long ball of the spring. Hank Blalock and Phil Nevin also contributed, collecting two hits apiece. Ian Kinsler had a good game playing in his former home ballpark, hitting a double and scoring on the Teixeira home run. Again, home runs were the only source of offense, but it was enough to win last night.

Just two more days... I don't know if I'm going to make it, guys.

Surprise Day 44

> Royals 6, Rangers 4
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The Rangers probably wish that the season would have started last Monday, because the final week of spring training has been a disaster. On Thursday they lost their fourth straight game and contemplated life without Adam Eaton as they broke camp and headed east.

The final game in Surprise was a 6-4 loss to Kansas City. Vicente Padilla made his final spring start and was decent, but two home runs hurt him. He allowed four runs on eight hits and one walk in six innings, though he did record five strikeouts. Francisco Cordero had a rough outing, allowing two runs, but Brian Shouse and Joaquin Benoit were effective in relief.

The Rangers matched the Royals in home runs with two, but were unable to match Kansas City in runs, and that's what counts. Mark Teixeira homered for the second consecutive game, a sure sign that he has broken out of his slump and is ready for the season. Gerald Laird also went deep for Texas. Michael Young doubled and drew a walk, but in the end the Rangers came up short.

The exhibition schedule finishes up with a game in Frisco tonight and a game in Arlington tomorrow, and then the regular season starts on Monday afternoon. Look for the Rangers to finalize their roster this weekend. I'll post my divisional predicitions and season preview either tomorrow or on Sunday.

> Saturday, April 1, 2006
Florida Marlins @ Texas Rangers
7:05, Ameriquest Field in Arlington, no TV, KRLD 1080
Jason Vargas (2-0, 2.57 ERA) vs. R.A. Dickey (1-1, 5.79 ERA)

Surprise Day 43

> Padres 13, Rangers 11
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There's absolutely nothing you can do about it. It's a hopeless feeling, because though it isn't fair it's reality. The Rangers will have to make do without Adam Eaton in their rotation for quite some time, probably for around three months or more. But the team can't use this as an excuse; the Rangers can still be a good team without Eaton, it's just going to be a lot more difficult.

Eaton suffered a strained tendon in his right middle finger and was forced to leave the field during the second inning of yesterday's game, a 13-11 loss to San Diego. It is not a common injury and is usually reserved for rock climbers. The really bad thing is that this is a very similar injury to the one that zapped him of his effectiveness last year. Before he went on the disabled list he was having the best season of his career, but upon returning he was roughed up on a regular basis as he lost the efficiency that he had displayed earlier in the year. The Rangers took a gamble that Eaton would rebound given a full offseason to heal, but it appears that the trade with the Padres has backfired.

After consulting with a hand specialist in Phoenix today, Eaton must decide whether to have surgery or to simply rest and rehabilitate the injury. Surgery would probably keep him out longer, but it would provide a better opportunity to fix the problem permanently. Either way, he will likely be out until July at the earliest. Hopefully the treatment that Eaton and the team decide upon will be effective and he'll be able to return for the second half of the season, because the Rangers are going to need him.

This creates a headache for the coaches and the general manager. Before the game against San Diego it was announced that R.A. Dickey had won the fifth spot in the rotation, but now he will have to assume a larger role. The Rangers are planning to recall Juan Dominguez from the minor leagues to serve as the fifth starter when the season begins. There is the possibility of a trade, but there isn't a lot of quality pitching on the market right now and if a trade is made it won't be a blockbuster deal. Because of off days, the Rangers will only need to use their fifth starter three times in the month of April.

As for the game, the Rangers lost in a slugfest, but it wasn't nearly as close as it appeared. At one point the Padres led 13-4, and it took a huge rally just to make the final score look respectable. There was definitely some good hitting, especially from Mark Teixeira and Brad Wilkerson, who both homered. Teixeira has had a tough spring but is heating up at just the right time, and Wilkerson was returning to the lineup after suffering from soreness in his shoulder. David Dellucci went deep for Texas as well. Kevin Mench also stayed hot, smashing two doubles, and Jamie Burke chipped in with a pair of singles and two RBI.

The pitchers that relieved Adam Eaton weren't able to keep the game close. Erasmo Ramirez gave up two runs, Akinori Otsuka and Jon Leicester allowed a run each, and Brian Shouse had a disastrous outing in which he gave up five runs on three hits and two walks. Scott Feldman did manage to get two outs and has pitched extremely well during spring training. I really hope that he makes the team; I would hate to see him passed over in favor of Antonio Alfonseca, which seems to be the way the Rangers are leaning.

The Rangers are stumbling toward the regular season with the injury to Adam Eaton and a lengthy losing streak. However, like I said before they can still be a good team despite this latest setback. Don't give up hope yet; we'll see what the first few weeks will bring.

> Friday, March 31, 2006
Florida Marlins @ Texas Rangers
7:05, Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark, no TV, KRLD 1080
Brian Moehler (0-2, 6.35 ERA) vs. Kameron Loe (0-0, 4.22 ERA)

Surprise Day 42

> Athletics 8, Rangers 3
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Almost none of the regular players made the trip to Phoenix for yesterday's game against Oakland, so a lackluster performance was to be expected. Juan Dominguez struggled in his final outing of the spring, but R.A. Dickey didn't inspire in his two innings either, so neither pitcher gained an advantage in the battle for the last spot in the rotation.

Like Edinson Volquez on Monday, Dominguez was victimized by the big inning. He breezed through the first two innings, but he ran into trouble in the third. The Athletics weren't pounding Dominguez, but the three walks that he allowed came back to haunt him as Oakland scored four runs. He was visibly frustrated in the dugout after the inning was over, but he calmed down to pitch a scoreless fourth before leaving the game. Dickey pitched the final two innings and was uneven, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks. I'll have more on the pitching situation tomorrow.

Mark DeRosa and Phil Nevin went deep for Texas, but the Rangers didn't have much else going offensively. Ian Kinsler and Adam Hyzdu both doubled, and Hyzdu had two hits overall. Adrian Brown also had a good game with a triple, a walk, and a run scored. But again, with most of the everyday players back in Surprise it was a challenge to score against a trio of very good Oakland pitchers.

C.J. Wilson has come down with the flu and his chances to make the team are fading. The Rangers already have a surplus of left-handed relief, so he was facing an uphill battle anyway. This latest setback will probably keep him off of the opening day roster. Hank Blalock has been suffering from back stiffness lately, but he was able to go through a full workout back in Surprise and should be fine. Francisco Cordero tossed an inning in a minor league game and was sharp.

In New York, hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo had successful surgery for prostate cancer. He'll stay there for two weeks before returning to Texas, and he might rejoin the team sometime in late April or early May. Brook Jacoby is filling in for Jaramillo until he is ready to resume his coaching duties.

> Thursday, March 30, 2006
Texas Rangers @ Kansas City Royals
2:05, Surprise Stadium, no TV, no radio
Vicente Padilla (0-1, 3.38 ERA) vs. J.P. Howell (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

Surprise Day 41

> Mariners 10, Rangers 9
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I enjoyed the game immensely last night, even though the Rangers lost and I was feeling sick. The television coverage got me even more excited for the season, as I'm sure it did for many fans. Now all we have to do is get the last few Surprise games out of the way and we'll be off to Arlington, with a brief stopover in Frisco for an exhibition game on Friday.

It was a wild and wooly affair on Monday night at Surprise Stadium. Edinson Volquez got the start and struggled, so much so that after the game it was announced that he won't begin the season in the rotation. Volquez had a disastrous first inning in which he allowed Seattle to score six times, but he calmed down to pitch two shutout innings thereafter. He didn't pitch quite as badly as it appeared; he wasn't helped by several infield hits and a failed rundown play in the first inning. However, he has clearly shown this spring that while he has unlimited talent, he needs more time in the minor leagues. The winner of the fifth spot in the rotation will start the exhibition game against the Marlins on Saturday at Ameriquest Field.

The bright spot in this game was definitely Laynce Nix. He had a monster of a game, clubbing two home runs and a two-run double that was almost his third homer to go along with seven RBI. This performance makes it very likely that he'll make the team, especially with Gary Matthews a virtual lock for the disabled list. David Dellucci and Kevin Mench also homered in a valiant comeback effort, but whenever the Rangers would get close the Mariners would tack on a few more. Joaquin Benoit and Jose Silva were the culprits out of the bullpen, though Akinori Otsuka was dominant in his outing.

In addition to demoting Volquez, the Rangers released Erubiel Durazo and informed John Wasdin that he won't make the team. I guess the Rangers feel comfortable with Phil Nevin and David Dellucci splitting designated hitter duties, because Durazo was the backup option in case Nevin continued to struggle or Dellucci was needed in the outfield. As for Wasdin, he was decent last year but I think most of his success was a fluke. Hopefully he'll take a minor league assignment because the Rangers will probably need him later in the season.

The pitching matchups for the opening series with the Red Sox are official, barring any unforeseen injuries. Kevin Millwood will face Curt Schilling on Monday, Adam Eaton will oppose Tim Wakefield on Tuesday, and Vicente Padilla will face Josh Beckett on Wednesday. Also, country music legend Charley Pride will sing the nationl anthem on opening day.

> Wednesday, March 29, 2006
San Diego Padres @ Texas Rangers
2:05, Surprise Stadium, no TV, no radio
Jake Peavy (1-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Adam Eaton (0-1, 8.10 ERA)

Surprise Day 40

> Rangers 4, Brewers 3
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When spring training reaches its fortieth day, I start getting impatient for the season to start. Monday can't get here quickly enough for me. I'll be there on opening day, skipping school with my dad and brother, so it's going to be awesome.

Ian Kinsler will be the starting second baseman against the Red Sox. He has been given the job after a solid spring in which he has hit four home runs and kept his average near .300 until falling to .238 after a recent slump. Both of his closest competitors could still make the team. Mark DeRosa will be on the roster in a utility role, and now there's talk that he could platoon in the outfield as well. If DeRosa is needed in the outfield D'Angelo Jimenez could make the team as an extra infielder.

The Rangers made their television debut on Sunday and defeated the Brewers 4-3 in Surprise. Kameron Loe made the start for Texas and allowed three runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out three but also yielded two home runs. Overall it was a solid effort from Loe, and right now I feel completely comfortable with him on the mound. The bullpen came up big, as Erasmo Ramirez, Francisco Cordero, and Scott Feldman all worked shutout innings to prevent a Milwaukee rally. Ramirez recorded the win, Cordero got a hold, and Feldman earned the save.

Michael Young and Mark Teixeira had two hits apiece, a very encouraging development. Teixeira has struggled mightily this spring, but he seems to be coming around and was able to raise his batting average to .231 after Sunday's game. Young hit his first home run, and Rod Barajas also homered. Barajas reached base all three times he came to the plate, also singling and drawing a walk.

There's good news regarding Brad Wilkerson's sore right shoulder. An MRI revealed no problems and he should be ready for opening day after receiving a cortisone injection. Gary Matthews took batting practice and felt okay, though the disabled list is still his likely destination to start the season. Hank Blalock was taken out of the game on Sunday with some minor back stiffness.

Be sure to tune into Fox Sports Southwest tonight for the game against the Mariners as well as the pregame show and season preview. Also, be on the lookout this weekend for my divisional predictions and preview of the year ahead for every team in the league.

> Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Texas Rangers @ Oakland Athletics
2:05, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, no TV, no radio
Juan Dominguez (1-1, 8.25 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (0-3, 9.58 ERA)