Home on the Range..r

Texas Rangers 2007 Record: 75-87 (4th in AL West)
2008 Prediction: 3rd in AL West


In

• Ben Broussard (SEA) - acquired for Tug Hulett - 12/13/07
  
• Jason Jennings (HOU) - signed to a 1 year, $4 million contract - 1/17/08
  
• Josh Hamilton (CIN) - acquired for Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera - 12/21/07
  
• Milton Bradley (SD) - signed to a 1 year, $5 million contract - 12/12/07
  
• Jason Davis (SEA) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/5/08
  
• Jason Ellison (CIN) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/24/08
  
• Kazuo Fukumori (Japan) - signed to a 2 year, $3 million contract with a club option for 2010 - 1/14/08
  
• Eddie Guardado (CIN) - signed to a 1 year, $2 million contract - 1/11/08
  

Out

• Freddy Guzman (DET) - traded for Chris Shelton - 12/6/07 (Shelton was later released)
• Brad Wilkerson (SEA) - signed to a 1 year, $3 million contract - 1/31/08
  

Remaining Free Agents

• Mike Wood
  
• Willie Eyre
  
• Akinori Otsuka
  
• Sammy Sosa
  
• Jerry Hairston Jr.
  

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Jarrod Saltalamacchia
1B - Ben Broussard
2B - Ian Kinsler
3B - Hank Blalock
SS - Michael Young
LF - Marlon Byrd/Frank Catalanotto
CF - Josh Hamilton
RF - Milton Bradley/David Murphy
DH - Milton Bradley/Jason Botts

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Kevin Millwood
Vincente Padilla
Jason Jennings
Brandon McCarthy
Kason Gabbard



Projected Opening Day Closer

C.J. Wilson/Eddie Guardado

Improvements: The Rangers managed to obtain two former Cincinnati Reds in two different acquisitions. First they traded for center fielder Josh Hamilton, and then proceeded to sign closer Eddie Guardado. Hamilton (as long as he is over his mental issues) will simply add to that balanced Ranger lineup, and can play a solid center field. Guaradado will battle with C.J. Wilson to be the team's closer, and has the experience and leadership to win that role. And if Jason Jennings can rebound from a dismal 2007, he will give the Rangers another crafty veteran to help stabalize a rotation that has been shaky over the last decade or so.
Lack of improvement: Milton Bradley is a huge risk for a team trying to get back on its feet. He is extremely fragile - both physically and emotionally. He has had only more than 500 at-bats once in his career (516 in 2004 with the Dodgers), and is constantly on the disabled list. He also has a history of being a sour member of a clubhouse, and can bring down the morale of the team. His production, when he's on the field, is certainly valuable - but at what risk?
Keys to success: Clearly, the pitching staff is the key to the Rangers' success in 2008. If they have any chance of being in contention, they're going to have to put it all together and it starts with Millwood and Padilla. They both need to have at least decent seasons and remain healthy and in the rotation, which is otherwise full of young kids.