Ominous Signs for Rangers

So many times I've been the optimist entering the Rangers regular season. Not this time, baby! This team may be laying a foundation for the future but my expectations are relatively low this year. Consider:

Starting Rotation

Your number one and two starters are really number two and three starters who have once again had mediocre spring performances. Last year, it led to a slow start that gave the Rangers a hill to climb by the end of April. Your number five starter is a journeyman who makes everyone think he's got the stuff until the games get real. Brandon McCarthy has upside but his spring was horrendous. Just think. 5.2 innings, 3 runs, and two homers is considered a great start. Robinson Tejeda shows the most immediate promise but is still learning so will be a little up and down. As for Kam Loe. He got robbed. Can he perform the way he did this spring for a full season? We won't know until someone falters.

Bullpen

This was supposed to be the Rangers' strength. Frank Francisco hasn't returned to form after Tommy John surgery. Rick Bauer was waived. Wes Littleton, the 2006 prodigy, has faltered. Eric Gagne starts the year on the DL. There's your bullpen depth. That means the Rangers are relying on Scott "Sidearm Sucker Punch" Feldman, a retooled Joaquin Benoit, and Akinori Otsuka, while looking to fill the rest of their bullpen holes.

Lineup

Can be good. But Nelson Cruz is playing his first full season in the majors. Hank Blalock has cratered at the plate this spring under the pressure of being Ron Washington's pet project. Brad Wilkerson has a new shoulder and the same ugly swing. Sammy Sosa's had a good spring but it mirrors Phil Nevin's 2006 spring a little too closely. But that's okay. In my book, Jason Botts has earned the shot at the majors the Rangers still refuse to give him.


Prospects

John Danks was traded. You never trade a top lefty prospect. They're too rare. Thomas Diamond had Tommy John surgery. Who the hell is teaching mechanics in the Rangers minor leagues. Edinson Volquez's confidence is toast. So scrap the DVD plans and let Eric Hurley and A. J. Murray take their time. You may need one or both these guys this year.

So there you have it. This team is ugly. The cellar may be calling soon. Nonetheless, I'll be here each trip through the rotation to update you Powerhousers on the Rangers. Sorry for the layoff, but sometime life calls.

Where Are They Now

First off, congrats to Kevin Durant on garnering both Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year honors. I must say that I am pleasantly surprised with the latter as I believe that Acie Law IV should also be mentioned.

Now, an update...

We started off this blog with a lot of steam. I remember the passing conversation JD and I had after witnessing the Mavericks' first summer league game against the Nigerian national team at TCU. We had dreams and aspirations that perhaps we would one day be sitting in the press box typing up the latest scores and opinions to you the reader. As time wore on, we laxed our expecations a bit. It wasn't because of the insurmountable pressure to perform or lack of drive to validate our journalism degrees. But, it seemed more logical to give people a place to congregate to scour our useless and homeristic thoughts. (Ok...my homeristic thoughts) As the mindset changed, so did our content. Thanks to your undying devotion, we have upped our circulation to 4 readers...3 of which accidently clicked on the page when searching for porn.

But, as time has dragged on, the gas tank has slowly crept to empty.

After all, this is a Dallas and Longhorn blog first and foremost. But, at this time of the year, there isn't much to chime in. The football seasons have hibernated for the fall and it is too early to speculate. It seems more logical to report when the Mavericks actually lose instead of singing their praises every few days. The Horns basketball team has been inconsistent despite having the Vince Young Part II grace the Erwin Center. (And aggy is actually good making it a double whammy) The Stars will make a quiet exit in the playoffs and the Rangers are just starting to work the rust off. Yes sports fans, these are the dog days of blogging.

So, where does this leave us?

The future is not as bleak as I would have you believe. But, priorities have changed. Both JD and Jarred are attending to women who will deliver them an heir to the throne. Jason is feared to be in a Mexican prison somewhere near Oaxaca. And yours truely? I've come down with a string of sicknesses that have left me begging for mercy.

So keep checking back John Q. Reader. This blog is not dead...just on a short hiatus.

Ranger For Life! (At least until 2013.)

This man is now worth $80 million.

Here is a contract Rangers fans can be thankful for. Tom Hicks gives the second largest contract in franchise history to Michael Young, the ultimate quiet team player.

Memo to Hicks: Now please promote this man and this team. Get the fan base excited again. I know the Mavericks have won 14 in a row, but surely they and the Cowboys can spare a few billboards or some TV advertising revenue.

First Rangers exhibition game today against the Royals at 2:05, on 1080 AM. One month left till opening day...

One More Aggy Loss

-

Poor Aggies.

The #15 Longhorns stomp on the seventh ranked Aggies yesterday, winning 98-96 in two overtimes.

A victory against Kansas on Saturday gives the Horns a first place tie and a number on seed in the Big 12 tournament next week.

I know these guys are just freshmen, but I can definitely envision a Sweet 16 berth for them this year. With Durant regularly nailing over 30 points a game, and the team riding a six game win streak, the Horns are hitting their stride at just the right time.

Let's enjoy seeing Durant in a Texas uniform while we can. This time next year, he'll be playing for some awful cellar-dwelling NBA team.