When I was in junior high and high school, I loved this time of year. I liked getting to know new players and trying to figure out how they'd all fit together with those who were already established with the team. My mom, however, had trouble getting going with baseball until a month or two into the season. She always said she didn't know anybody on the team anymore since some changes were made from the year before. Some of you may be in that boat, so to kick off the Spring Training features, we'll have a look at who is gone from last year's team and then later on get to know some of the new guys who've been brought in for 2011.
You may be asking yourself, "Isn't this just a more detailed version of the Transaction Tracker that's been on the website for the last three months?" Good question. The answer is yes. While the Tracker kept up with who was coming and going, it didn't say where they went or where they were coming from, and the reasons behind letting them go or bringing them in. That's where this feature will be helpful.
In this post, I'll briefly go over the bigger names who left the team since last season, then tomorrow I'll finish up with the rest of the guys who are gone. Over the weekend, I'll try to get to the additions to the team, but the timeline on getting that done is a bit fuzzy due to my work schedule. Enough talk, let's get into it.
Cliff Lee - LHP - Philadelphia Phillies
Obviously the biggest subtraction from the end of 2010 to the beginning of 2011 is Cliff Lee. While many believed it was down to just the Rangers and Yankees bidding over his services for the next six or seven years, there was a "Mystery Team" that kept popping up in the rumors. That team turned out to be the Phillies, who had traded Lee away last off-season when they acquired Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays. Lee said he really enjoyed his time with the Phillies and never wanted to leave in the first place, and he was willing to take less years and dollars to get a deal done with them in the end. The Rangers could have gotten him if they would have guaranteed a seventh year on his contract, but they were reluctant to even go as far as six, so Lee is a Phillie again. It will undoubtedly hurt to not have that ace at the top of the rotation, but the Rangers were well in first place when they traded for him in 2010, so maybe they can repeat that without Lee.
Vladimir Guerrero - DH - Baltimore Orioles
Guerrero was determined to cash in on his All-Star season and good numbers after settling for a small contract when he first came to Texas. At first he wanted a two year deal, but when nobody was offering that, he asked for one year and $8 million, which looked like a big reach as the DH market played out with players like Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez signing for way less than that. The Rangers were interested in bringing him back, but not at a big price tag. When Adrian Beltre signed, it looked like Vlad's time was surely over here. But when rumors of Michael Young being shopped around came up, the idea of keeping Vlad to DH instead of Young was kicked around. Eventually, the Orioles decided to meet Guerrero's price tag to DH for Buck Showalter's club. The Rangers are hoping that the addition of Beltre will neutralize the loss of Guerrero in the lineup and in the clubhouse. We shall see about that.
Frank Francisco - RHP - Toronto Blue Jays
Francisco lost his closer's job in April last year, and Neftali Feliz never gave it back. Frankie did well as the eighth inning man, though, and was a strong piece of the bullpen until his rib cage injury shut him down over the last six weeks of the season. Part of the Rangers struggles in the post-season were due to not having Frankie available to pitch the eighth, and probably cost them a win or two throughout the playoffs. A few weeks ago, the Rangers traded Francisco to the Blue Jays for C/1B Mike Napoli, who had just been acquired from the Angels. Francisco is expected to take the closer's role again for the Blue Jays, and his eighth inning replacement in Texas is still yet to be determined.
Bengie Molina - C - Unemployed
At this point last year, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden were being counted on to hold down the catching for the Rangers in 2010. That plan fell apart quickly, and by mid-season the team needed a veteran to help the first place club keep things rolling. Molina was acquired from the Giants and did most of the catching for the team over the second half and in the playoffs. His bat was quiet for most of the regular season, aside from the miraculous cycle he hit in Boston right after the All-Star Break, but he came up with some huge hits in the playoffs. Molina will get a World Series ring from the Giants and an A.L. Championship ring from the Rangers, but might not draw a major league salary. As camps are opening all across Arizona and Florida, Molina has not signed with anyone and may choose to sit out and wait for someone to call or just retire. The Rangers decided to go with a younger version of Molina in Yorvit Torrealba, so there is no chance of a reunion as long as everyone stays healthy.
Rich Harden - RHP - Oakland Athletics
The biggest disappointment of 2010 had to be Rich Harden. He was brought in to head up the rotation with Scott Feldman (who also was disappointing), but was wild and injured for all but three or four starts. I remember a really good outing in Oakland, one in Anaheim, and seven hitless innings in Arlington, and that was about it. He returns to the A's, where he spent the best years of his career. I would have bet good money that he'd go back there. He will have to compete for a spot in the back of their rotation or in the bullpen, because the A's have one of the best young pitching staffs in the game.
Jeff Francoeur - OF - Kansas City Royals
Francoeur was only a Ranger for two months, but he got some meaningful at-bats over that time and won the fans over with his tough style of play, his ever-present smile, and his beard. The Rangers would have liked to keep him around, but he wouldn't have a starting job in the outfield here, so he decided to sign with the Royals where he should start the season as their everyday right fielder.
Clint Hurdle - Manager - Pittsburgh Pirates
It's easy to forget that the Rangers are going into 2011 with a new hitting coach, but that is the case since Clint Hurdle turned his one season in that role into a job managing the Pirates. Clint was easy going, hard working, and really helped a lot of guys on this club with their swings, most notably Josh Hamilton. It remains to be seen if he will be missed or if Thad Bosley will be able to pick up where he left off. Hurdle is a good guy with managing experience, so it wasn't a shocker to see him get hired away.
Next time I'll get to the rest of the departures. I'm hoping I don't have to amend this for Michael Young.
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