Texas Rangers

Losses: P Kevin Millwood, OF Marlon Byrd, P Eddie Guardado, OF Andrew Jones, C Ivan Rodriguez, SS Omar Vizquel

Gains: P Rich Harden, OF Vlad Guerrero, P Chris Ray, P Darren Oliver, IF Khalil Greene, P Colby Lewis, P Clay Rapada, 3B Matt Brown

Analysis: After finishing above .500 for the first time since 2004, the Rangers had quite a busy offseason in an effort to put them in position to remove the Angels from their perch atop the AL West. Judging by what they have done over the past few months, they should have a legitimate shot at doing just that. Vlad Guerrero is no longer a dominant hitter, but he should still bring production to the lineup as a DH, which will also allow him to stay healthier and get more plate appearances than he did last season with the Angels. The signing of Rich Harden gives the Rangers a potential dynamite duo at the top of the rotation (the other half being Scott Feldman). Rangers fans should be encouraged by Harden’s ability to stay (mostly) healthy last year, but should be somewhat worried by the accompanying slip in performance. Harden is still only 28, though, so he could definitely bounce back in 2010. Not like his numbers last year were all that bad to begin with (4.09 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 10.9 K/9), and if healthy he is definitely a more desirable option than the recently departed Kevin Millwood. Speaking of Millwood, the primary player acquired from Baltimore in the trade that sent him to the Orioles, Chris Ray, should add depth to a bullpen that already boasts one of the better set-up/closer combinations in the league (CJ Wilson/Frank Francisco). Ray struggled last season after coming back from Tommy John surgery, which makes one wonder if the Rangers got the most they could for Millwood (the answer is probably “no”). However Ray has late inning experience (33 saves with the Orioles in 2006) and could bounce back with other quality arms surrounding him in the bullpen. Add in accomplished long reliever Darren Oliver, and the Rangers could have a really nice relief corps.

More moves: The Rangers have been very active this offseason, and one would think that they are finished wheeling and dealing for now. Their one weakness is the starting rotation, but it appears that they are planning on going forward with a rotation led by Harden, Feldman, and newcomer Colby Lewis (who has pitched in Japan for the last 2 seasons), with the other two spots to be earned in Spring Training. If they are in contention around the trading deadline, it would be hard to imagine them not trading for another starting pitcher.

Prediction: Despite the question marks regarding the rotation, this team still sports a devastating lineup and an above average bullpen. With the Angels losing some key players this offseason, now is the time for the Rangers to make a move, and I think they will, although they need to improve the rotation if they plan on going deep in the playoffs.

APT’s Prediction: The starting 5 leaves them a second place team in the AL West. Perhaps one more year away.

-The Bomb