The Ranger Reporter

Jamey Newburg at Baseball Prospectus previewed the Rangers today.  He talks about the addition of Ron Washington as well as putting together a more consistent rotation.  He closes with a snippet that basically alludes to the fact that if the Tigers can do what they did in 2006, then the Rangers can get it done in 2007.

I’ve always been a Kameron Loe fan and I was hoping he’d nail down that fifth spot in the rotation.  Unfortunately. he’s had a set back because he’ll miss his start today because of a sort neck and back.  It looks like if Loe is out for a while, Jamey Wrigh will get the fifth spot in the rotation.  They’re hoping Loe might get a start in on Saturday so we’ll have to wait and see until then.

The Rangers first round pick in 2004, Thomas Diamond, had his progress derailed because he’s going to miss the entire season because of an injured elbow.  The big right hander had a solid season for Frisco last year (145 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings) but now he needs elbow reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ligament in his elbow.

Diamond may have made his debut in 2006 but it looks like now he won’t be ready to pitch until next years spring training.  I’d expect him to throw most of that season in the minors to see what his arm can handle so it’s probably not realistic to expect much from Diamond until 2009.

Jeff Passan picked Michael Young as the most underappreciated star in the American League in a solid column.  He talks about everything from all the hits Young has racked up the past couple of years to his solid hitting with runners in scoring position.  It’s a great read so be sure to check it out.

Jerry Crasnick at ESPN.com recently profiles C.J. Wilson.  He talks about everything from Wilson’s upcoming novel to his work on the gyroball.  There’s also a little tidbit that he’s going to work with Eric Gagne as much as he can to improve his game.  This is a really fun read.

In a great organizational preview over at MiLB.com, you get profiles of several guys that the Rangers have high hopes for and who will be starting in the minors.  Big things are expected from Taylor Teagarden and Eric Hurley but you also get a look at each tier in the system as well how the guys the Rangers drafted in 2006 are doing. 

Adam Morris from Lone Star Ball recently answered the five key questions that the Rangers have going into the 2007 season over at the Hardball Times.  He touches on everything from the state of the Rangers to pitching staff to the potential impact of Sammy Sosa.  He even talks about the huge deal the Rangers gave to Michael Young. 

The Rangers improved to 4-2 today with a win over the Diamondbacks.  It started out as a blowout as the Rangers jumped out to a 9-1 lead but Arizona rattled off seven unanswered runs to make the game close.

Sammy Sosa continued to show he might have a spot on the team with his second homerun today.  He had two hits and he drove in three runs.  Mark Teixiera had a nice game as well with two hits, three RBIs and a run while Gerald Laird went deep with a solo shot in the third inning.

The Rangers starters did a nice job today.  John Koronka threw three no hit innings to start the game while Kameron Loe, who’s competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, threw three shutout frames with two strikeouts.  Vincente Padilla gets the start tomorrow when the Rangers take on the Athletics.

Man, this is huge.  The Rangers are locking up All Star shortstop Michael Young for five more years and they’ll be paying him $80 million.  So Young will most likely be in a Ranger uniform through 2013.  There’s no doubt that Young is a very important part of this team and he provides a great table setter for guys like Hank Blalock and Mark Teixara.   And it’s nice knowing the owner is committed to keeping his guys.  I touched on Young’s projections last week so stop by and check it out.

Also, there’s been some good dialogue going about how this will affect the shortstop free agent market.  A lot of people have been comparing Young to Carlos Guillen, who the Tigers have to sign or becomes a free agent at the end of this season.  Tigerblog thinks Guillen is just as good as Young while Rangerfans thinks otherwise.  I’m with Joe on this one.  Guillen is good, but he’s not going to come anywhere close to what Young will do over the next five years.  My opinion anyway.