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My Projected Lineup for the 2009 Season posted on 02/13/2009

With Spring Training nearing and the competition getting fierce early on, here are my starting lineup projection in order of depth with a brief analysis:

1B:  Chris Davis--Showed he can play at the corner spots.  Offense is a plus for him.  

Frank Catalanotto--Decent defensively at that position.  Needs to improve footwork. 

Hank Blalock: Doesn't play much first and you'll see him there very seldomly.

2B:  Ian Kinsler--Offense and defense; he's the complete package. If he stays healthy, he could be a MVP candidate.

German Duran--He's good defensively but looked uncomfortable at the plate at times.

Joaquin Arias--He'll get little playing time until he can get his feet wet.  He played for Duran last season season after Kinsler got hurt and did okay.  

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Alex Rodriguez admission was the right thing to do, can't blame the Rangers for the PEDs posted on 02/11/2009

It's easy to blame the Rangers organization for Alex Rodriguez's use of PEDs in his years as a Ranger, but where does the blame lie?  Many argue that the Rangers are the ones to blame with their string of ball players who were accused of using steroids or other PEDs.  However, I have to argue that the one to blame is truly the player.  If you listen carefully, A-Rod said, "When I arrived in Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure. I felt the weight of the world on top of me, and I needed to perform and perform at a high level everyday."  His admittance of that fact puts the blame solely on his shoulders. When you sign a 10-year, $252 million contract, you should expect some amount of pressure.  As humans, we are given free will.  We have a choice to make whatever decisions we please.  Using PEDs was not forced on him; that was evident in his comment. 

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What the Andruw Jones move does for the Texas Rangers posted on 02/09/2009

The Texas Rangers recently signed Andruw Jones to a minor league contract.  If he makes the squad, the Texas Rangers will pay him $500,000 and a up to $1 million in bonuses.  Why is this important?  Because Jones is still a viable player that can be traded for a smaller price if he doesn't make the Rangers roster this spring.  That and it doesn't break the Rangers bank.  Jones also provides a fail-safe if Josh Hamilton goes down with an injury.  Marlon Byrd, who recently re-signed with the Rangers, was a fill in player for Hamilton in Center field at times, but really found his niche in Left Field.  Already a logjam in the outfield, the Rangers can only hope that Andruw Jones can become the terror at the plate he used to be in Atlanta.  After leaving Atlanta for the Dodgers, Jones never regained his offensive form and after a series of injuries, faltered many aspects of his game.

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Surprise Falcons 8-5, on cusp of playoffs, but not to be this season posted on 12/10/2008

The Atlanta Falcons have to be the surprise team of the 2008 season and Mike Smith deserves to be Coach of the Year whether the Falcons make the playoffs or not.  However, their reality will come crashing down on them in the final three games of the season.

Atlanta will play Tampa Bay this week and then play Minnesota and St. Louis to close out the season.  The Falcons have already played Tampa Bay once this season and lost 9-24.  Atlanta's youth and inexperience will unravel with the remaining schedule.  The Dallas Cowboys are right behind the Falcons in the playoff hunt, but I project the Falcons to lost two of the next three.  

That's not to take anything away from the incredible season they've had.  Matt Ryan should be in the running for Rookie of the Year.  With the NFC being so good this season a 10-6 or 9-7 team may not make it.  I attribute the youth and inexperience of the Falcons to be the contributing factor.  They haven't made the playoffs since 2004 and the current squad has only a handful of players on both sides of the ball that were on that team, one of the reasons for the 8-5 record thus far.  

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Rangers make early move in the Winter Meetings, deal Gerald Laird for two pitchers posted on 12/08/2008

The names Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo aren't names you're familiar with, but you may in a couple short seasons.  The Rangers and Tigers made the trade as expected would happen with a surplus of catchers to trade at will.  This move is a good move for both clubs.  Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo have strong upside and their bodies were built to be pitchers.  Moscoso has the potential to be a young Pedro Martinez and he may be the first one of the two to make the 40-man roster. Melo, on the other hand, has good upside; his fastball can reach up to 100 MPH, but his control is an issue. 

This move doesn't mean the Rangers are done dealing at the Winter Meetings.  The Meetings end on Thursday and the Rangers may have more catchers to deal.  Taylor Teagarden looks set, but Max Ramirez and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are still valuable assets on the trade market. Boston, Kansas City, and Atlanta (the team Saltalamacchia came from) have expressed interest in trading for him, but are unwilling to deal any starting arms.  Many things can happen in a short time, especially at the Winter Meetings.  

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