Baseball Guru
02-12-2002, 10:11 AM
SPRING CLEANING
1. Can the acquisitions made by the Rangers in the Winter pay dividends in the Spring and Summer?
Rangers General Manager John Hart has been very busy since he took over on Nov. 1. In addition to signing marquee names like Chan Ho Park, Carl Everrett and Juan Gonzalez, Hart has added almost 20 new players, including a dozen pitchers. With a lineup that includes Gonzalez, A-Rod, I-Rod, and Palmeiro, there is little doubt the Rangers will score runs. But newly acquired pitchers John Rocker, Todd Van Poppel, Jay Powell, Park, Ismael Valdes and Dave Burba will have to help stop the other teams' offense for Texas to have a successful season.
2. Who will emerge as the leadoff man after Spring Training?
For now, Frank Catalanotto is penciled in as the Rangers leadoff man, but that could change. Rusty Greer, Carl Everett, and Ivan Rodriguez could all see action in the No. 1 spot in the order during the season. Catalanotto hit .330 last season while I-Rod and Greer are coming off of injury-plagued seasons. That could weigh in Catalanotto's favor, giving him the majority of the at-bats at the leadoff spot.
3. Who will be in the Rangers starting rotation
Chan Ho Park, Ismael Valdes, and Kenny Rogers all have guaranteed contracts and they will be in the starting rotation. As for the final two spots, Doug Davis, Dave Burba, Aaron Myette, Mario Ramos, Rob Bell and Hideki Irabu are all competing for the coveted positions. Davis, Ramos, Bell and Myette all have options remaining, meaning they can be sent back to the minor leagues.
"We have improved ourselves with our starting pitching, and at some point, what you look for is depth," Hart said. "The ability to have quality depth is something we have helped here. Certainly, that does not mean that one or two or our youngsters cannot make the team, because they certainly can."
4. Who is going to join Carl Everett (centerfield) and Juan Gonzalez (right field) in the outfield?
Rusty Greer is the starting left fielder in February, but that could change by April 1 because Gabe Kapler and Frank Catalanotto will also be vying for playing time. Look for a all three to see action in left and split time at the designated-hitter position (Greer, Catalanotto). Kapler is an above-average Major League-caliber outfielder who was slated to be the starter in centerfield in 2002 before being displaced with the acquisitions of Everett and Gonzalez. Look for Catalanotto to see action at first base, second base and third base in addition to his duties in left field and DH.
5. Is this Ivan Rodriguez's last season as the catcher for the Texas Rangers?
The 10-time All-Star missed the final 28 games last season because of patella tendinitis in the right knee, a condition that required surgery but says he is almost fully recovered. He becomes a free agent at the end of the season and Rangers GM John Hart has not ruled out the possibility of trading him. As for Pudge, he said he would like to finish his career in Texas and is focused on the 2002 season. Hart has repeatedly said that Rodriguez's contract will be discussed next winter.
NEW FACES
RHP Chan Ho Park -- On Dec. 20, Park agreed to a five-year deal worth $65 million with the Rangers to become their No. 1 starter. Park, 28, was 15-11 with a 3.50 ERA last season with the Dodgers. The 6-foot-2, 204-pound right-hander racked up 218 strikeouts in 234 innings on his way to becoming the most sought after free-agent starter of the winter. He has never posted a losing record since becoming a fulltime Major Leaguer in 1996 and averaged 15 wins a season from 1997 to 2001. Park, who boasts a fastball, a curve, a slider and changeup, has increased his strikeout total every year since joining the Dodgers. During his eight seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he was 80-54 with a 3.80 ERA and tallied 1080 strikeouts while surrendering only 560 walks in 1183.2 total innings.
RHP Todd Van Poppel -- Van Poppel, 29, was 4-1 with a 2.52 ERA in 75 innings of relief for the Cubs in 2001. He posted the eighth-lowest ERA among National League relievers with 50 or more appearances and held the opposition to a .158 average with runners on base, second lowest in the league. The hard-throwing right-hander was 1-2 with a 8.84 ERA in 19 1/3 innings during his first stint with the Rangers in 1998. An older and wiser Van Poppel said he dumped an erratic curveball and replaced it with a reliable slider. He became the first free agent signed by new GM John Hart when he was acquired on Nov. 26.
RHP Jay Powell -- On Dec. 11, Texas signed Powell to a three-year $9 million contract. Powell, 29, was 5-3 with a 3.24 ERA and seven saves in 74 relief appearances with Houston and Colorado in 2001, matching his career best for appearances. He was 2-2 with a 3.72 ERA in 35 games with the Astros before being acquired by the Rockies for pitcher Ron Villone on June 27. With Colorado, Powell went 3-1, 2.79 in 39 outings converted seven of eight save opportunities, tying his career high for saves. That span also included 13 consecutive scoreless innings (June 29-Aug. 3) and saves in six consecutive appearances (Aug. 26-Sept. 24). He posted a 3.26 ERA at Coors Field, lowest on the Colorado staff.
RHP Dave Burba -- Texas signed Burba, 35, on Dec. 19. He was 10-10 with a 6.21 ERA in 32 games (27 starts) with the Cleveland Indians in 2001. He was 10-10 with a 6.60 ERA in his 27 starts and had a 2.77 era in five relief appearances. Burba was 8-2 in his first 13 starts of the season through June 9 before going 2-8 in his final 14 outings. He posted the 100th win of his career on May 8 against Kansas City. The right-hander has a career Major League record of 105-80 in 408 games (211 starts) with Seattle (1990-91), San Francisco (1992-95), Cincinnati (1995-97) and Cleveland (1998-2000). He has won 10 or more games in each of the last seven seasons and eight times in his Major League career.
RHP Hideki Irabu -- The Rangers and Irabu agreed to a 2002 contract with Triple-A Oklahoma of the Pacific Coast League on Dec. 27. He has been invited to Texas' Major League Spring Training camp as non-roster player. Irabu, 32, spent all winter pitching in Puerto Rico. He made just 14 starts in his two seasons with the Montreal Expos due to injuries. In 2001 he was 0-2 with a 4.86 ERA in three starts with the Expos. The right-hander started the year on the disabled list right knee problems. He made three starts at Jupiter and four at Ottawa on a rehab assignment before being activated on May 31.
RHP Rudy Seanez -- Seanez agreed to terms on a contract with Triple-A Oklahoma on Jan. 28 and will be invited to Major League Spring Training camp as a non-roster player. Seanez, 33, pitched with Atlanta and San Diego last season after recovering from tendon-transplant surgery, otherwise known as Tommy John surgery in June of 2000. He began his career with Cleveland in 1989 and is the fourth former Indians pitcher Hart has added to the Texas roster. The right-hander is 16-13 with a 4.32 ERA and 11 saves in 242 Major League appearances with Cleveland (1989-91), San Diego (1993, 2001), Los Angeles (1994-95) and Atlanta (1998-2001). He has held opponents to a .233 average in his career and had career highs for appearances (56) and wins (six) with Atlanta in 1999.
RHP Steve Woodard -- Woodard, 26, agreed to a minor-league contract on Jan. 14. He was 3-3 with a 5.20 ERA in 29 appearances with Cleveland last season. The right-hander was 2-3 with a 6.34 ERA in 10 starts. For his career, he is 31-36 with a 4.88 ERA. He boasts 438 strikeouts in 632 innings. The 6-ft-4, 217-pound Woodard relies on a 88-89 MPH fastball, a change-up, and a curveball. He can start or pitch from the bullpen.
1. Can the acquisitions made by the Rangers in the Winter pay dividends in the Spring and Summer?
Rangers General Manager John Hart has been very busy since he took over on Nov. 1. In addition to signing marquee names like Chan Ho Park, Carl Everrett and Juan Gonzalez, Hart has added almost 20 new players, including a dozen pitchers. With a lineup that includes Gonzalez, A-Rod, I-Rod, and Palmeiro, there is little doubt the Rangers will score runs. But newly acquired pitchers John Rocker, Todd Van Poppel, Jay Powell, Park, Ismael Valdes and Dave Burba will have to help stop the other teams' offense for Texas to have a successful season.
2. Who will emerge as the leadoff man after Spring Training?
For now, Frank Catalanotto is penciled in as the Rangers leadoff man, but that could change. Rusty Greer, Carl Everett, and Ivan Rodriguez could all see action in the No. 1 spot in the order during the season. Catalanotto hit .330 last season while I-Rod and Greer are coming off of injury-plagued seasons. That could weigh in Catalanotto's favor, giving him the majority of the at-bats at the leadoff spot.
3. Who will be in the Rangers starting rotation
Chan Ho Park, Ismael Valdes, and Kenny Rogers all have guaranteed contracts and they will be in the starting rotation. As for the final two spots, Doug Davis, Dave Burba, Aaron Myette, Mario Ramos, Rob Bell and Hideki Irabu are all competing for the coveted positions. Davis, Ramos, Bell and Myette all have options remaining, meaning they can be sent back to the minor leagues.
"We have improved ourselves with our starting pitching, and at some point, what you look for is depth," Hart said. "The ability to have quality depth is something we have helped here. Certainly, that does not mean that one or two or our youngsters cannot make the team, because they certainly can."
4. Who is going to join Carl Everett (centerfield) and Juan Gonzalez (right field) in the outfield?
Rusty Greer is the starting left fielder in February, but that could change by April 1 because Gabe Kapler and Frank Catalanotto will also be vying for playing time. Look for a all three to see action in left and split time at the designated-hitter position (Greer, Catalanotto). Kapler is an above-average Major League-caliber outfielder who was slated to be the starter in centerfield in 2002 before being displaced with the acquisitions of Everett and Gonzalez. Look for Catalanotto to see action at first base, second base and third base in addition to his duties in left field and DH.
5. Is this Ivan Rodriguez's last season as the catcher for the Texas Rangers?
The 10-time All-Star missed the final 28 games last season because of patella tendinitis in the right knee, a condition that required surgery but says he is almost fully recovered. He becomes a free agent at the end of the season and Rangers GM John Hart has not ruled out the possibility of trading him. As for Pudge, he said he would like to finish his career in Texas and is focused on the 2002 season. Hart has repeatedly said that Rodriguez's contract will be discussed next winter.
NEW FACES
RHP Chan Ho Park -- On Dec. 20, Park agreed to a five-year deal worth $65 million with the Rangers to become their No. 1 starter. Park, 28, was 15-11 with a 3.50 ERA last season with the Dodgers. The 6-foot-2, 204-pound right-hander racked up 218 strikeouts in 234 innings on his way to becoming the most sought after free-agent starter of the winter. He has never posted a losing record since becoming a fulltime Major Leaguer in 1996 and averaged 15 wins a season from 1997 to 2001. Park, who boasts a fastball, a curve, a slider and changeup, has increased his strikeout total every year since joining the Dodgers. During his eight seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he was 80-54 with a 3.80 ERA and tallied 1080 strikeouts while surrendering only 560 walks in 1183.2 total innings.
RHP Todd Van Poppel -- Van Poppel, 29, was 4-1 with a 2.52 ERA in 75 innings of relief for the Cubs in 2001. He posted the eighth-lowest ERA among National League relievers with 50 or more appearances and held the opposition to a .158 average with runners on base, second lowest in the league. The hard-throwing right-hander was 1-2 with a 8.84 ERA in 19 1/3 innings during his first stint with the Rangers in 1998. An older and wiser Van Poppel said he dumped an erratic curveball and replaced it with a reliable slider. He became the first free agent signed by new GM John Hart when he was acquired on Nov. 26.
RHP Jay Powell -- On Dec. 11, Texas signed Powell to a three-year $9 million contract. Powell, 29, was 5-3 with a 3.24 ERA and seven saves in 74 relief appearances with Houston and Colorado in 2001, matching his career best for appearances. He was 2-2 with a 3.72 ERA in 35 games with the Astros before being acquired by the Rockies for pitcher Ron Villone on June 27. With Colorado, Powell went 3-1, 2.79 in 39 outings converted seven of eight save opportunities, tying his career high for saves. That span also included 13 consecutive scoreless innings (June 29-Aug. 3) and saves in six consecutive appearances (Aug. 26-Sept. 24). He posted a 3.26 ERA at Coors Field, lowest on the Colorado staff.
RHP Dave Burba -- Texas signed Burba, 35, on Dec. 19. He was 10-10 with a 6.21 ERA in 32 games (27 starts) with the Cleveland Indians in 2001. He was 10-10 with a 6.60 ERA in his 27 starts and had a 2.77 era in five relief appearances. Burba was 8-2 in his first 13 starts of the season through June 9 before going 2-8 in his final 14 outings. He posted the 100th win of his career on May 8 against Kansas City. The right-hander has a career Major League record of 105-80 in 408 games (211 starts) with Seattle (1990-91), San Francisco (1992-95), Cincinnati (1995-97) and Cleveland (1998-2000). He has won 10 or more games in each of the last seven seasons and eight times in his Major League career.
RHP Hideki Irabu -- The Rangers and Irabu agreed to a 2002 contract with Triple-A Oklahoma of the Pacific Coast League on Dec. 27. He has been invited to Texas' Major League Spring Training camp as non-roster player. Irabu, 32, spent all winter pitching in Puerto Rico. He made just 14 starts in his two seasons with the Montreal Expos due to injuries. In 2001 he was 0-2 with a 4.86 ERA in three starts with the Expos. The right-hander started the year on the disabled list right knee problems. He made three starts at Jupiter and four at Ottawa on a rehab assignment before being activated on May 31.
RHP Rudy Seanez -- Seanez agreed to terms on a contract with Triple-A Oklahoma on Jan. 28 and will be invited to Major League Spring Training camp as a non-roster player. Seanez, 33, pitched with Atlanta and San Diego last season after recovering from tendon-transplant surgery, otherwise known as Tommy John surgery in June of 2000. He began his career with Cleveland in 1989 and is the fourth former Indians pitcher Hart has added to the Texas roster. The right-hander is 16-13 with a 4.32 ERA and 11 saves in 242 Major League appearances with Cleveland (1989-91), San Diego (1993, 2001), Los Angeles (1994-95) and Atlanta (1998-2001). He has held opponents to a .233 average in his career and had career highs for appearances (56) and wins (six) with Atlanta in 1999.
RHP Steve Woodard -- Woodard, 26, agreed to a minor-league contract on Jan. 14. He was 3-3 with a 5.20 ERA in 29 appearances with Cleveland last season. The right-hander was 2-3 with a 6.34 ERA in 10 starts. For his career, he is 31-36 with a 4.88 ERA. He boasts 438 strikeouts in 632 innings. The 6-ft-4, 217-pound Woodard relies on a 88-89 MPH fastball, a change-up, and a curveball. He can start or pitch from the bullpen.