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We talk about a whole lot of things here on the Ranger Report, most of them baseball related. Tonight, I would like to take a look at how I think the bullpen is shaping up for the start of the 2011 season. I will tell you who I think is in (no surprises here) who I think should be in (maybe a surprise or two) and who I think should be out (maybe shocking, bu probably not). Pitching is the key to a good baseball team, and the bullpen is a huge part of any teams pitching. So, without any further introduction (because if I continue to introduce, I would probably just get repetitive) Here is my bullpen as of today, March 11, 2011.
The Safe Zone:
1. Darren Oliver – Darren is in his third go around for the Texas Rangers, and I would not be surprised if this was his last season, or at least if he finished his career with the Texas Rangers. He is a fan favorite, and he is a very solid bullpen guy. The Rangers and their fans are pretty confident with him and feel good every time he goes out on the mound to pitch. Guys who play as long as Darren has are hard to come by, and guys that have been as successful in both a starter role and a relief role are even more rare. There is no doubt that Darren will do a great job again for the Rangers in the 2011 season.
2. Darren O’Day – I figured, why not get both Darrens out of the way right away. O’Day has pitched in 3 innings so far in the spring, and he has an ERA of 6.00. ERA’s do not mean as much right now for guys who are already shoe in’s for the team. Darren has not only been good over the past two seasons for the Rangers, he has been real good. In 2009, he got into 68 games and posted an ERA if 1.84. In 2010, he got into 72 games and posted a 2.03. I look forward to seeing what kind of ERA he can post in 2011, and I hope that Darren stays a Ranger for a very long time. He is not only a good pitcher, but seems to be an all around good guy. I am glad O’Day is back to wow us again in 2011.
3. Arthur Rhodes – The Rangers brought in Rhodes for some veteran experience, and I think that is just what he will provide for this club. A lot of people were surprised that the Rangers brought in the 41 year old, but they saw something they liked in him and they were not afraid to go out and get it! He has a career ERA of 4.06, but over the past two years it has been 2.53 and 2.29. That is a guy that I would want in my bullpen, and the Rangers agree. Rhodes will do big things for the Rangers this season.
4. Neftali Feliz – What else do I have to say about this one. It is now almost a foregone conclusion that Nefti will be back in the closers role which won him the rookie of the year award in 2010. Nefti will be great there again in 2011, and I think that he will be a starter in the future, but I think he will be best suited back in the role he shined at in 2010.
5. Alexi Ogando – this one depends on whether or not he makes the rotation coming out of spring training. My gut tells me he will not, and he will be in the bullpen as a late inning setup guy. As most of you all know, it took Alexi quite a long time to get to the majors, and I think now that he is here he will not be going anywhere. He is a talent, he has 3 above average pitches, and I think he is best suited for the pen right now.
