Key to the Season: Ron Washington

The skip

The Texas Rangers are in Surprise, Ariz. getting ready for the 2011 season. I'm here in my mom's basement blogging. This is an installment of posts about those Texas Rangers and what they'll need to do to win. Keys: Tinkering, Neftali Feliz, Mark Lowe and Getting Better.

Have you read the D Magazine feature on the Texas Rangers' skipper, Ron Washington?

It's really an un-feature. Washington is featured prominently. All despite not speaking more than a sentence to the reporter.

Michael Mooney simply crashed Washington's lowly New Orleans home seeking an interview. Problem is, Wash doesn't give interviews in New Orleans.

The feature is fascinating. In one fell swoop, it pulls the curtain back on a guy that couldn't be more happy go lucky and, yet, we couldn't know less about the guy. I learned no less than four dozen things about Washington from Mooney's story.

I think I also learned why he's been successful as a coach or manager in professional baseball. It's no coincidence that the manager that the 25 guys on the Rangers' roster play their guts out for is the same man that Eric Chavez gave his Golden Glove award to and the same man that Jason Giambi wrote a $25,000 to after he lost his house after hurricane Katrina.

It's no coincidence that during the Michael Young drama over the winter, Washington was always the guy Young went to. It's no mistake that his players stood behind him -- when everyone else bailed -- after the cocaine issue of a year ago.

What does this feature tell us about winning baseball games? Almost very little. There some insight about Wash and his ability to coach players up. Other managers are admired and respected. Others know how to "coach." Not all of them win. Not all of them take a ragtag group to the World Series.

Washington's past and present -- the $110 house in New Orlean's Ninth Ward, his brother dying in Vietnam, his trials of growing up poor and in a bad neighborhood, his baseball career, the "NIGGER" etched into his front drive -- has either EVERYTHING or NOTHING to do with his ability to manage a baseball club.

I personally feel it has EVERYTHING to do with his ability to manage a baseball club.

There's not a more genuine guy in Dallas-Fort Worth sports history. What we learned in a magazine story four years after his hire, those guys in the clubhouse have probably known within the first 30 days.

That he's worth playing for. Worth believing in. Worth leaving it all on the field for.

Those trials and tribulations define Washington. It's why he's still living in a crappy house in a crappy neighborhood of a crappy city.

By association, Washington defines the Texas Rangers. Not always having the best, but making due with what you got.

We do not deserve Ron Washington.

Minor moves

NeRam

As the Major League season starts, so do the minors.

Already, the Rangers have made a move. They've sent infielder Marcus Lemon -- once probably one of the better, younger infield prospects in the system -- to the Atlanta Braves for a player to be named later.

Lemon is 23. He's moved from shortstop to second base to just about any spot on the field in his career. His once stellar ability to draw walks waned in the past two seasons. His on-base percentage went from .374 to .325 in three seasons. I'm not sure if it was done to make room or maybe they get an arm in return.

The last trade with the Atlanta Braves went beautifully.

****
The Rangers announced the rotations for their minor league squads:

Oklahoma City
Michael Kirkman
Eric Hurley
Tanner Scheppers
Zach Jackson
Brett Tomko

Expert Analysis: Mildly surprised that Scheppers is being groomed as a starter. Not disappointed, just shocked. Thought they liked his velocity and potential for injury coming out of the 'pen and it's been suggested more than once that he was the heir apparent to Neftali Feliz. I suspect we'll see him, Tomko and Kirkman in Arlington this season.

Frisco
Martin Perez
Wilfredo Boscan
Jacob Brigham
Carlos Pimental
Miguel De Los Santos

Expert Analysis: All newcomers except for Perez (Pimental pitched one game in Double A last season). It's what happens when you trade all your Double A pitchers for Cliff Lee, Cristian Guzman and Jorge Cantu. It's also a Latin explosion!

Myrtle Beach
Neil Ramirez
Barrett Loux
Robbie Ross
Joe Wieland
Rob Erlin/Kasey Kiker

Expert Analysis: Kiker is simply attempting to rebuild any hope for his future that he can. Here we might find some friction between High A and Double A. Should they perform to standard, Ross, Wieland, Erlin and Ramirez all might be pushing hard for a promotion. I'm sure they'll have opportunity with injury and the distinct possibility of the Double A guys getting their own due bumps. Loux is probably a slight surprise here. He hasn't pitched a professional inning yet. College kids, however, are a bit more seasoned.

Hickory
Matt Thompson
Randol Rojas
Carlos Melo
Roman Mendez
Justin Grimm

Expert Analysis: Aggressive, I like it. Only Thompson has extended experience in Low A-Hickory. The other three are young (20 years old). Hickory, Myrtle Beach and Frisco have sets of exciting young hurlers.

Calling out a columnist

For my money, the best sports columnist in Dallas-Fort Worth is the Telegram's Jenn Floyd-Engel.

Always biting. Always thinking. Never backing down. Staying relevant and actually having an opinion.

She had a doozy Wednesday. She took the Dallas Cowboys, its fans, media, Dez Bryant and everyone in between to task for the latest and greatest of exploits from the wide receiver, which now includes various bills for expensive jewelry in Fort Worth and New York and unpaid apartment bills in Stillwater.

It's a mess. Bryant is, apparently, a mess. Like a Tiger Woods mistress, once one came out, they all came out.

Floyd-Engel's column is great. Sarcastic and pointed. Its sharp and challenging.

She brought it. Unfortunately, it contradicts a lot of the opinions she's had in the past. Never once in the recent column did she eat her own bowl of crow.

Floyd-Engel:

"The Cowboys never should have drafted this idiot. But they did. And everybody at Valley Ranch and beyond who argued that his talent justified this leap: this is what you signed up for, so quit looking so surprised."

The problem, as The Big Lead points out, is that Floyd-Engel has written just the opposite in the past 365 days.

Floyd-Engel in past columns:

"There also is the “absolutely must keep” crew, who do not merit much discussion, either, with Tony Romo and DeMarcus Ware and Dez and Witten and Ratliff and Bradie and Miles and Spencer and Doug Free and Mike Jenkins."

“The dude is a beast, one of those players teams will kick themselves for years for skipping over. Turns out, all of the “expert” reasons to draft Dez have proven valid while none of the reasons to take a pass has materialized."

“This team needs Dez; his swagger, his cocky, his intense drive to show up and show up big, his burning passion to not just be great but do it right now, immediately."

The odd thing about Floyd-Engel's column is that it would have been incredibly easy to admit that she was one of the millions that bought into the talent-over-attitude debate. We got taken in. The physical prowess mesmerized us. It's now clear to most that the Bryant-Cowboys marriage will not end well. Prediction from me: Dez Bryant will not be a Dallas Cowboys in two years. In 2013, we will be discussing his release.

Floyd-Engel is human. She's a sports mortal just like all of us. She makes mistakes. And just like every other human, she's rather unwilling to accept her comeuppance or admit to her own judgement on Bryant's attitude and personality.

However, to come out swinging, throwing uppercuts at everyone's chins looking for a knockout blow (if I can draw this boxing analogy out any further) and then not to look in the mirror (analogy switch!) is pretty sorry.

Cruise control

Gun show

Do you know who I'm tired of? Jason Terry.

He might be the sweetest guy in the world. However, he hasn't won a damn thing and no one talks more shit in the NBA.

Problem is, he's the epitome of Dallas Mavericks basketball over the last decade: A guy that sits on the perimeter and shoots, plays zero defense and whose only claim to "toughness" is punching Mike Finley in the nuts and getting suspended in a HUGE playoff series against San Antonio.

Tough, my ass. Terry's a loudmouth, who doesn't put forth the effort or have the talent (one or the other, or both) to back it up.

No one respects the Mavericks? The coach thinks your soft? There is exactly one way to shut up everyone. Win. Beat the Miami Heat in 2006. Get to the Finals in any year you can.

I'm tired of the "respect" bullshit when you deserve none.

Anyway, the Mavericks beat a team from Los Angeles last night 106-100.

However, it was the Clippers. Only Dirk Nowitzki and Terry logged more than 30 minutes as cruise control as already set in.

However, this is no time to fall asleep at the wheel. The streaking 50-win Thunder are three games behind the Mavericks for the No. 3 seed and the Mavs are now just a half-game back of the Lakers for the No. 2 seed, with a huge game tonight against Kobe and Co. Also, the New Orleans Hornets jumped to the No. 6 seed last night. Should the season end today, hte Hornets would be the Mavs' first-round opponent. Something to keep an eye on, I guess, although I want really nothing to do with either New Orleans or Portland.

By the way, Corey Brewer -- the Mavericks' only athlete -- was a DNP-CD for the fourth straight game. He hasn't played since March 20. Dom Jones hasn't played in 800years. Rick Carlisle's "doghouse" is going to be the downfall of this franchise.

The AL West

Predicting the 2011 MLB season. Without a net. Past embarrassments: NL West, NL Central, NL East, AL East and AL Central.

Texas Rangers -- 92-70
Note: Should the Athletics ever get their offensive act together, the Rangers time here in the spotlight is very limited. The Rangers already have a crapload against them and it is not going to be easy. It might never be easy for the Rangers. However, players will contribute, heroes will be made and things will work out. For now. Pluck can take you only so far.

Oakland Athletics -- 88-74
What is this?! The Rangers West? Rich Harden. Willie Moscoso. Brandon McCarthy. Cripes. Luckily, the Athletics have a very salty rotation with Brett Anderson, Gio Gonzalez (who I think wins 18 games, at least) and Trevor Cahill (very possible Cy Young candidate). The A's pitching makes them incredibly scary. Very scary. Downright frigtening. Unfortunately, they can't score. Collection of hitters we've seen before: Josh Willingham, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Conor Jackson, Ryan Sweeney, David DeJesus and CoCo Crisp. Same ol' names, same ol' results.

California Angels -- 81-81
Lot to like, still. Lot to dislike. Did you know their starting outfield has an average age of 35? That Jered Weaver struck out 233 and posted a 3.01 ERA and went 13-12. They can't score. I can't imagine that improving with Vernon Wells.

Seattle Mariners -- 59-103
Could seriously get some guys on the bags: Ichiro, Milton Bradley and Jack Cust are all on the team. If the Mariners paid anyone to drive them all in, they'd be set. That and having a reliable starter that isn't named "Felix" are good starts. By the end of the season, the Mariners will field the best Triple A team in Major League Baseball.

J.J. Barea proves it is good to be the most famous person in Puerto Rico

Rivera, Rivera

Name me five people from Puerto Rico.

OK. You can't do it.

You may have gotten Dallas Mavericks spare point guard J.J. Barea, but that's it.

Barea has proven that when you are the most famous person from a particularly small island nation (territory? pseudo-state?), you reap benefits.

The 5-10 guard is apparently dating the 2006 Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera, a fellow Puerto Rican.

Not to hate on Barea (I mean, if you get a shot at nailing a Miss Universe, you do it), but ... meh. She looks like the police captain on Dexter.

Cooked

Otter

It's nut-cutting time, folks.

This isn't the part of the season that you aim to just improve, work on things and develop lines and chemistry. There's six games left in the 2010-11 campaign for the Dallas Stars. It appears that will be the limit.

They pulled out a point in a 2-1 shootout loss to Phoenix, a 95-point team. Simply put, the Stars needed two.

They're ninth in the conference and still three points behind Chicago for the final playoff spot. The time is now. The Stars are a sickly 3-3-4 in their last 10. The Blackhawks are 4-4-2. No one wants. Doesn't matter. The Stars are not in the driving seat.

The Stars try. They're a team that could have used more luck this season. Their depth and skill also is being shown the last month or so. The front of the line guys are as good as you get.

However, unlike other higher-caliber teams, they don't have the middle and lower line guys that contribute and perform the little tasks. We saw it with the 1990s Stars.

Barring a minor miracle (jumping a team by three points and holding off 10th place, who are technically tied), we are watching the last of the Dallas Stars until September.

Key to the Season: Getting better

Getting better, by inches

The Texas Rangers are in Surprise, Ariz. getting ready for the 2011 season. I'm here in my mom's basement blogging. This is an installment of posts about those Texas Rangers and what they'll need to do to win. Keys: Tinkering, Neftali Feliz and Mark Lowe.

My sports religion is based around the idea that vast team improvements bank more on the smallest of incremental gains rather than wide, far-reaching career years from individuals.

The Toronto Blue Jays can not wait for Jose Bautista to launch another 50 home runs and compete in the AL East. They need anywhere from eight to 12 guys to simply be better. Same goes for any team.

If you want to pinpoint any one player on the 2010 Texas Rangers as they reason they made it to the World Series, feel free. It was Colby Lewis -- not Cliff Lee -- that beat the New York Yankees twice in the ALCS. It was significant impact from C.J. Wilson. It was Tommy Hunter getting a little better. It was Darren O'Day and Neftali Feliz being better.

It was Ian Kinsler, David Murphy, Elvis Andrus, Mike YOung, Nellie Cruz and, certainly, Josh Hamilton, getting better.

No, Murphy didn't have a career year. Instead, he took a more patient approach to the plate. Drew a lot more walks. Start getting choosy and bad pitchers (and most pitchers are either ordinary or bad) throw you something to hit. Kinsler also took a new approach. A lot more picky. He also quit upper cutting. Power numbers dropped, but he was a better hitter. Kinsler has had better seasons, statistically. He's not had a better season as a Major League hitter.

That's what the Rangers need. They need fielders to catch and throw better. They need hitters to do all the little things. They add up and it makes a huge difference between pulling out close games and losing 5-4.

Consider C.J. Wilson. Put up a very good 2010 winning 15 games and notching an ERA under 3.35. However, he walked 93 hitters. I believe that's the most in the American League. Thus, his WHIP skyrocketed to 1.25 despite allowing just a .217 BAA.

What does Wilson need to do? Walk less batters. I'm not assuming he'll walk just 50. But why not shoot for 75 or 65? Doesn't seem like much and those numbers are still high. But that puts less runners on base and if Wilson can just maintain the number of hits he gives up, he'll be significantly better. It's the small changes that can add up and make a huge difference. Or its the small change that dominoes, affecting other parts of a game.

I think this little sports religion applies mostly to baseball. Baseball's got a ton of moving parts. Games within games. Moments that turn games. Moments that turn three-game winning streaks to four-game losing streaks. A game where a run is a run, and if Wilson can keep another 20 baserunners off the bags, how does that turn two or three games?

What if Kinsler can swap 30 dumb flyball outs for 20 groundballs? And if 5-10 of those find a hole in the infield?

It's all what-ifs and bullshit. Luck is a huge part of the game. Maybe unlike other sports, baseball players have the opportunity to increase their opportunites for good luck or mitigate the damage to bad luck.

It's the small things.

The AL Central

Predicting the 2011 MLB season. Without a net. Past embarrassments: NL West, NL Central, NL East and AL East.

Minnesota Twins -- 97-65
Pitchers that throw strikes. Hitters that put the wood on the ball. An MVP candidate. How is Justin Morneau's head? Seems like that concussion lingered. Did you realize Jim Thome was so close (11) to 600 home runs? I think they feast on Indians, Royals and Tigers.

Chicago White Sox -- 85-77
I think the Pale Hose need a number of things: Jake Peavy for 30 starts, a duplicate year from Alex Rios, consistentcy from Carlos Quentin and a solid bullpen. I'm not willing to bet all that will happen. Getting Adam Dunn could help give Paul Konerko a 40-homer year.

Detroit Tigers -- 80-82
I don't know if they're any good. I think they're better than Cleveland, and not as good as Chicago. So, I stick them here. I don't know what to think of that old line-up. It's old. Victor Martinez provides a little pop. Jack Benoit in the bullpen will help, especially when Joel Zumaya blows out his arm.

Cleveland Indians -- 72-90
Finished 2010 on a high note, going 7-3 in final 10. The Tribe might be too dumb to realize how bad they're supposed to be. Extremely young team that can only get better with time.

Kansas City Royals -- 66-96
I want the best for the Royals. They are extremely young. They might be a team looking to prove something without Zack Greinke. Their cornerstone -- Billy Butler -- is in his mid-20s and one of the best pure hitters in the league. I might wind up wrong on them.

Spring Training 11.0: Everyone, I guess, fucking loves Matt Treanor

He's the back-up

You would have thought that the 1948 St. Louis Cardinals had traded Stan Musial, the 1957 New York Yankees traded Mickey Mantle or the 1966 Baltimore Orioles traded Frank Robinson.

It's Matt fuckin' Treanor.

Let's all take a step back and inhale a deep breath. Let's put this all in perspective.

The Texas Rangers know that a shaky bullpen might spoil the beginning of the season, much like it did a year ago. They want to take an extra guy. They also know the starting rotation is a mess.

Injuries to Tommy Hunter and a setback for Brandon Webb has the starting five in limbo. Alexi Ogando might get a shot at a rotation spot. By the end of April, we might be bemoaning the fact that the Rangers are six games out in the AL West because of the shitty bullpen or the lack of a reliable fifth starter. We will not bemoan the fact we don't have Matt Treanor.

The back-up catcher was shipped to Kansas City for cash in light of Jason Kendall's injury that could keep him out three months. Don't get me wrong: I love Treanor. He's not very good, but he's smart and handles pitchers well. If nothing else, the move means a lot to the bullpen and Ogando. It speaks volumes about Yorvit Torrealba, who is having a stellar spring at the plate.

Most importantly, the pitchers -- especially C.J. Wilson -- must be pretty comfortable with the new backstop. One year ago, most Rangers fans could not believe that Treanor could make the club.

A month in, it was ludicrous to think he was on the 25-man roster. Today, folks are beside themselves that the back-up catcher was traded. As if all those World Series plans in 2011 were thwarted with one move.

Chances are, the Rangers won't win a pennant. It's a hard thing to do anyway. A team with so many holes have a steeper hill to climb.

However, come September, we will not look back at this day, the day the Treanor died, and wonder "what if?" Ridiculous.

Roadies

We're best friends that anyone could have

I know I'm a johnny-come-lately, but the lil' Dallas Mavericks pulled off two road wins -- back-to-back toughies against Utah and Phoenix -- over the weekend.

Credit is due. Winning on the road is tough, winning Utah and Phoenix -- two teams in desperate need of wins -- and winning on back-to-back nights is unthinkable, no matter the level of competition with both squads.

The Mavericks, more than likely, probably killed any playoff hopes the Jazz and Suns. Which is always fun. It puts them five and four games out of the final spot, respectively.

The Mavericks have the best record in the NBA, on the road. They're 26-10.

It should be noted that the Mavericks were 27-14 on the road a year ago. Best in the NBA. Second seed. Ousted in first round by San Antonio.

The Mavs are still a game out of Los Angeles for the No. 2 seed. Currently, they're on a crash course with Portland in the first round, a proposition that should scare the shit out of any Mavericks fan.

The good news: While it seems like the rest of the West is limping, the Mavericks seem to be getting healthier. Some blowouts are coming their way. Legs are getting a little rest.

The Mavericks will need every break they can get.

Spring Training 10.0: Dealing with Tommy Hunter's weight

Big Game

Tommy Hunter has timing.

Mere hours after being named to the starting rotation, shipping Neftali Feliz to the weak bullpen, Hunter hurt his groin in a Spring Training game.

He's out six weeks.

So, we have a whole in the rotation. More than likely, Dave Bush or Michael Kirkman will fill the hole.

It's not big deal. Hunter was primed for the rotation a year ago and he hurt himself late in Spring Training and missed the first few weeks of the season. The Rangers will not lose the division because Hunter missed several weeks.

However, this latest injury brings up the issue of Hunter's weight.

He's listed at 6-3 and 280. I assume he slims down some coming into camp. As time wears on, he approaches 280, if not more.

Hunter has always been a big, meaty guy.

His size became an issue when he was first called up when the Texas heat regularly hit 100 degrees during the day and the Ballpark would swelter during night games in the 90s.

Every year its an issue dealing with his stamina in a game. I think it's a bigger issue dealing with injury.

Pitchers put a lot of stress on their bodies. From the feet, legs, midsection, arms and hands, pitching is something humans shouldn't really be doing. We're not fit for it.

Add on layers of fat and weight and that stress is amplified. Generally, fatter pitchers have had shorter shelf lives. Then again, almost all professional athletes do.

Then again, give me a successful fat pitcher and I'll give you a dozen successful skinny pitchers.

I like Hunter and I hope his future is in Texas. He gets outs. However, he does no one good huffing and puffing on the mound and getting hurt every Spring Training. Surely, it can't hurt losing 40 or 50 pounds.

Are we really ignorant as to how much of a punk Dez Bryant is?

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

The Dallas Cowboys were not going to pass on Dez Bryant in last year's draft. Just wasn't going to happen.

Why? Randy Moss. Way back in 1998, the Cowboys and 20-odd teams passed on the knuckleheaded receiver out of Marshall. The Cowboys and those 20-odd teams have regretted that decision ever sense.

So, Dez Bryant, he dropped out of the top 10, was going to be a Dallas Cowboy.

Everyone talked themselves into it. Bryant had just lied to the NCAA about hanging with Deion Sanders. He wasn't trading autographs for tattoos. He didn't get caught doing drugs, stealing or committing a felony. He lied. We can forgive lying because we lie all the time, and with professional athletes, you hope for misdemeanors.

Bryant dressed well. He called reporters "sir" and although he wasn't the most eloquent guy in the world, he came off as respectable and courteous.

Almost a week after getting cited at NorthPark Center for "bustin' a sag" (thanks to Ticker guy Sean Bass for that tidbit of street), we've, as a group, upgraded Bryant from "misunderstood" to "knucklehead."

Next stop: "Punk."

Yes, we regret skipping on Moss. But, remember, Moss has also talked and played himself through four teams and counting.

We're getting snowed under with the "sir" bullshit and the nice clothes. Soon, the headache won't outweigh the product on the field and Bryant's tenure with the Cowboys will end badly. Terrell Owens badly.

I think Deion Sanders' quotes are pretty telling. He's cut ties with Bryant. Which is saying something. Sanders has been the type in the media to side with the troubled player who is "keepin' it real" and goes out of his way to defend these types of players.

For him to come out publicly and say that the Cowboys need a babysitter for Bryant says volumes.

Rumors persist in spite of all this. That he was out of shape going into camp last year. That he didn't learn any of the playbook. That he's awful with money and is closer to being broke than anyone realizes.

Seriously, we should enjoy this ride. It'll be interesting in a train wreck sort of way. "Bustin' a sag" was just the beginning. An entry incident for bigger knuckleheadedness.

5-0

50 for 41

I wrote the other day as the Dallas Mavericks clinched a playoff spot, that I do not take for granted their success despite my opinion that their team -- in spite of it all -- is still second tier.

The Mavericks toyed around with the Minnesota Timberwolves last night in a 104-96 win. With it, the Mavericks notched their 50th win, the 11th straight year to reach that milestone.

It still impresses and awes me. The fact is, the Dallas Mavericks -- just as an all-around franchise, as currently constructed in the Mark Cuban-era -- are the second-most successful franchise in Dallas-Fort Worth sports history.

Let me put this in some perspective. Little doubt that the Dallas Cowboys of the 1970s and 1990s were great. I mean, beyond successful. G-R-E-A-T. They were historical. What Tom Landry did with those 1970s Cowboys was, by far, the greatest franchise in this area's history.

However, the 1990s Cowboys burned hot for a while and then dissapated. The Dallas Stars had some good runs. But not as long as what the Mavericks have done.

Wins by decade:

358 -- 1980s
246 -- 1990s
548 -- 2000s
105 -- 2010s (and counting)

The Mavericks have had 13 50-win seasons. Eleven have come since 2001.

Fifty wins in the NBA is still nothing to sneeze at. To maintain their current roll is almost impossible with teams' abilities to get pretty good, pretty quickly. A marquee free agent, a trade or a strong draft could alter a team.

Ironically, the Mavericks -- generally -- have stayed pretty much the same and you can almost guarantee 50 wins until the day Dirk Nowitzki's leg falls off. If nothing else, it is testament to his greatness.

The AL East

Predicting the 2011 MLB season. Without a net.

Past embarrassments: NL West, NL Central and NL East.

Boston Red Sox -- 96-66
The big spenders. Add Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to an already not-awful line-up. I'd ask who exactly is pitching for them, but it may not matter. Health is a major issue. Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Josh Beckett and several others all missed significant time last season. If they can't go the entire year, free agents may not matter.

New York Yankees -- 90-72
Ninety-five win teams that don't do anything to improve do not get better. Especially when every significant player you have is old. No starter of note past CC Sabathia. I guess it's Phil Huges, A.J. Burnett and a cloud of dust. They will miss Andy Pettitte.

Tampa Bay Rays -- 84-78
How the hell did Manny Ramirez get $18 million? Pitching cures any and all ills. It's shocking how much great, young talent the Rays have to the point that it feels like they can give some away and still have plenty left over.

Toronto Blue Jays -- 81-81
If Aaron Hill and Adam Lind do not have bounceback seasons, the Blue Jays might have a tremendously awful offense. No way Jose Bautista recreates that monster 2010. Shitload of starting pitching, however.

Baltimore Orioles -- 70-92
Give the O's credit: They are trying. They signed Derrek Lee, Vlad Guerrero, Mark Reynolds, J.J. Hardy, Kevin Gregg, Jeremy Accardo and Justin Duchscherer. The Orioles are not a team that just rolls over and plays dead. Seems like they play opponents hard. It's just they're in the toughest division, arguably, in professional sports. Even the Blue Jays are division contenders in just about another other group of teams.

The Dallas Stars probably won't make the playoffs and they probably deserve it

The Dallas Stars have had some nut-kick losses this season.

Last night's 4-3 bruiser against Anaheim may be the worst.

Teemu Selanne -- who has to be 800 years old by now -- scored with six seconds left in the game sending the game into an extra period. Cam Fowler netted the game winner.

It was the Stars' fourth overtime loss in March alone. I haven't seen the stat yet that adds up how many times the Stars have surrended a lead in the third period. It has to be in the 20s by now.

Defending Big D has already started shovelling the dirt on the casket, and for good reason. They take everyone to task, especially noting the coach and leadership in the lockerroom.

I will say this: The Stars have had one good run since Brendan Morrow took over as "leader". It's no real statement about him. I love Morrow. However, Modano was the best player on some pretty good teams, but he was never the "captain" material we wanted him to be. Morrow may be a nice player with the same problem.

Who is the leader here? There's no Sergei Zubov or Mike Modano. There are no consistent grinders. Injuries up and down the roster are an issue. I honestly don't know where you start.

It helps getting an owner. This team hasn't spent significant money in free agency in years. Their best player -- Brad Richards -- is about to walk after the Stars are unable to sign him.

However, the season isn't over. Yet. The Stars have nine games and, as of this moment, they are two points out of the fifth seed. Anything could happen. Maybe they goof off and make the playoffs. Maybe they don't. This current team doesn't seem to have the stomach for the fight.

Nine games. Let's check back when the final horn is sounded.

Spring Training 9.0: Rotation set

Feliz it

All the discussion and debate is moot.

Neftali Feliz is the Texas Rangers' closer.

It was announced today that Feliz would go back into the bullpen and that C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Tommy Hunter, Matt Harrison and Derek Holland would man the rotation.

It's a safe move. It's a move predicated on the unsuccessful springs of Mark Lowe, Arthur Rhodes and Darren O'Day and a total lack of a true replacement, nothing against Alexi Ogando.

As it stands:

Rotation
C.J. Wilson - LHP
Colby Lewis - RHP
Tommy Hunter - RHP
Matt Harrison - LHP
Derek Holland - LHP

Analysis: Get ready for the rollercoaster ride. Harrison, as we well know, is not a sure thing. Holland's not exactly a seasoned veteran. I consider this a fluid rotation. I don't expect it to be the same in July or even August.

Bullpen
Neftali Feliz - RHP
Alexi Ogando - RHP
Arthur Rhodes - LHP
Darren Oliver - LHP
Darren O'Day - RHP
Mark Lowe - RHP

Bullpen (bubble guys)
Michael Kirkman - LHP
Brett Tomko - RHP
Mason Tobin - RHP
Pedro Strop - RHP

If the Rangers take eight men to the bullpen, two of the final four will make it. Tobin's a Rule 5 guy so he'll stay on the 40-man, but could be sent to Triple A along with Kirkman. Strop's out of options, right? He's had a great spring and I think he's made the team. Rangers probably feel they should shit or get off the pot with him. Tomko, I think, has made this club as the long relief guy, possibly along with Kirkman. If Harrison or Holland fail, Kirkman's the replacement.

Things are not going well for people today

Stay hard, Mark

Dallas Mavericks great Mark Aguirre collapsed on a treadmill at a gym this morning. He had clogged plumbing in and around the heart.

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Buddy Ryan -- the former hated Philadelphia Eagles coach and Rob Ryan's poppa -- has cancer.

****
Eugene "The Hitting Machine" Lockhart was arrested by the FBI. Mortgage fraud charges. Whatever that means.

Replacement players

Slowey poke

The Texas Rangers are a week away from starting the season and there is seemingly a number of holes in the line-up. It's like realizing you didn't buy any gifts on Christmas Eve.

The next week could be a hustle and bustle of Jon Daniels combing waiver wires, free agent lists and team rosters seeking to fill a series of spots in need of help:

Starting Rotation
It seems set. I bet the Rangers would like some insurance. Of course, Neftali Feliz is the swing guy. If he starts, things are a bit more stable. But ...

Bullpen
... if he goes, it leaves a giant hole. That is, if Alexi Ogando can't close. Even if he can, who do we love in the eighth inning if Mark Lowe continues to struggle. Bottomline: You can't have too many relievers.

Outfield
I think Julio Borbon starts the season in centerfield. Maybe. Even still, folks seem reluctant in having him on the bench if he can't start.

Here are guys the Rangers might target or haul off their 40-man roster:

Endy Chavez
The part-time centerfielder might already be in camp. Spent most of 2010 hurt, the veteran, speedster plays a mean outfield. I've always thought Chavez a pretty useful player, but he can't get an at-bats or stay on a team. Injuries might be a issue. Had 22 doubles in 2006 and is a career .270 average.

Kevin Slowey
The Minnesota Twins recently moved Slowey -- a guy that I've always liked -- to the bullpen. Now, he's on the trading block. He won 13 games a year ago. Known for his control. Slowey's walked just 79 batters in 473 big-league innings. Love this guy. He's also a Rangers killer: 1.42 ERA in two starts against the Rangers.

Tanner Scheppers
At the very least, Scheppers won't start 2011 in the Majors. He was sent to minor-league camp. Still, I expect him to be a player in the bullpen by the end of the year.

Brett Tomko
He's 37 going on 38. He was awful in relief for the Yankees and surprisingly fantastic with the Athletics starting six games. Tomko's sticking around. Could be in the bullpen or rotation.

Joe Beimel
Pitched in 71 games a year ago with a not-awful 3.40 ERA. He is a lefty and I don't know if the Rangers want/need more lefties.

Joe Blanton
Blanton is due a hefty $17 million over the next two seasons. Roy Oswalt getting knocked in the head probably doesn't bump up his availability. He's only 30 and quite the horse the last two seasons.

Russ Springer
At least he wants to pitch. The big righty is 42 and his decline has been apparent.

Carlos Silva
The Chicago Cubs may be out on Silva, who freaked the fuck out this spring. He's expensive and I think he sucks.

Rodrigo Lopez
Did you know he logged 200 innings for the Diamondbacks a year ago? He probably ain't making the Braves' rotation. I dislike this idea as much as I do the Silva idea.

Doesn't NorthPark Center security know who Dez Bryant is?

Dez Bryant loves the Sunglass Hut

Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant was apparently "keepin' it real" at Dallas-Fort Worth's marquee shopping mall and he got busted for it.

He was given a criminal trespass warning at NorthPark Center for a disturbance after off-duty police officer cum mall security stopped him and his crew for their pants fall down below their waist.

I have nothing against "keepin' it real" and whatnot. But here are some ground rules:

1. You don't "keep it real" at NorthPark Center. Why? Because it's full of snooty white folks. It's like "The Wire" not taking place in urban Baltimore, but on Martha's Vineyard or the Lincoln Memorial.

2. Are we still "bagging" our jeans? Really?!? Come on, Dez. You're a grown man now. If you're going to "keep it real," at least get caught with a dimebag or a handgun. This is the professionals.

3. What are we still doing at malls? Why "keep it real" at malls? Is it cool being at Neiman Marcus? Burberry? Gucci? Hugo Boss? Lids? Or the Apple store? Malls are dumb to begin with. Pretending to be cool at malls is nothing short than a cry for help.

Of course, Jerry Jones would've given a kidney to have his 1990s Cowboys get a criminal trespass citation at a mall in lieu of their actual infractions.

In position: Starting Pitcher

The Erlin bird gets the worm

Every year over the past three or four, I've gone through the entire Texas Rangers' franchise, position by position in order to gauge the organizational depth. This has especially been important as prospects have progressed and made it to the Majors. It also helps to discover what prospects might prove valuable in trades.

Previous: Catcher, First Base, Second Base, Shortstop, Third Base, Left Field, Center Field and Right Field.

C.J. Wilson
30 - Texas Rangers
Too little has been said about Wilson's almost seamless transition to starting pitcher. Fifteen wins, three complete games and a .217 BAA. And how good was he in the meat of the season when the Rangers typically crumble? He went 8-2 in July and August with ERAs under 3.00 in each. Granted, not great in August, but he turned it on when the Rangers needed it.

Colby Lewis
31 - Texas Rangers
Rangers had two starters over 200 innings (Wilson and Lewis). If you really want to break down the stats, Lewis had the better year. But he didn't get the run support and wound up 12-13. Probably deserved at least 15 wins. A year ago, how insecure were we with Lewis. Now, we just assume he'll give us 200 innings.

Neftali Feliz
22 - Texas Rangers
That's right. He's 22. And we're bugging that somehow he's stuck as a pitcher. He's totaled 110 Ks in 26 walks.

Tommy Hunter
24 - Texas Rangers
I get the feeling the Rangers don't think much of Tommy Hunter. I don't disagree. His strikeouts stink and he has fair control. He overpowers no one and gets hit with regularity. He also gets outs. Lots of them. Thirteen wins and a 3.73 ERA in 2010. If you've got something better, let me know.

Brandon Webb
31 - Texas Rangers
If back, he's as good as it simply gets. If not, back to the drawing board.

Derek Holland
24 - Texas Rangers
Just 24 years old and many are willing to give up on the guy. People are idiots. People also weren't around for the first 40 years of Rangers baseball. That walk parade he hosted in the World Series overshadows an up-and-down season which ended with a 4.08 ERA. All he needs to do is prove it on the big stage, consistently.

Michael Kirkman
24 - Texas Rangers
Surprisingly it's 2010 and Kirkman's considered a piece of the rotation puzzle. He went 13-3 with a 3.09 ERA. His strikeout rate went through the roof as his walk rate steadied. Would've not considered him a realistic option for the rotation. Well, screw me. He's proven he belongs.

Omar Beltre
29 - Oklahoma City RedHawks
Beltre's had some hard luck. Caught up in the visa scandal, he was really good in Triple A (2.65 ERA, 85 Ks, 85 IP) and got two spot starts in Arlington. He was rocked. But that doesn't spoil anything. He hurt his ankle to kaput his 2010 and now is dealing with a spinal thing pooping on at least the first half of his 2011.

Eric Hurley
25 - Oklahoma City RedHawks
Pitching lights out this spring. Probably not going to hit the Majors until he spends more time recovering from an injury that prevented him from pitching in 2010. Still, very young with time to improve.

Mason Tobin
23 - Oklahoma RedHawks
Had in the Rule 5 pick from the California Angels. No doubt he has something. But when you pitch 96 innings in four professional seasons of baseball, there's clearly something wrong. Didn't throw a professional pitch in 2010 at all. Remember: Guys aren't left open in the Rule 5 draft unless they aren't expendable.

Martin Perez
19 - Frisco RoughRiders
Perez probably could have spent 2010 in Bakersfield and done pretty well for himself. But the Rangers of now push their prospects and Perez floundered in Frisco and spent part of the year injured. His bloated 5.96 ERA looks awful, but the strikeout per inning shows progress and ability. Clearly, the best prospect the Rangers got.

Richard Bleier
23 - Frisco RoughRiders
A disappointing 2010. Strikeouts were waaaay down. Walks were about the same. Just gave up a shitload of hits.

Carlos Pimentel
21 - Bakersfield Blaze
Last year was forgettable. Walks, hits and runs were all up. The big difference is that his ERA jumped from 2.93 to 5.16. Spent one start in Frisco, mainly due to half of the Double A starters getting traded. Interesting to see where he starts in 2011.

Joe Wieland
21 -- Bakersfield Blaze
I think our friend Joe gets a call to Frisco sooner than later. Although his numbers generally went up with the call to Bakersfield, his strikeout rate actually increased.

Robbie Ross
21 - Bakersfield Blaze
Great, again, in Hickory and hit a wall in the California League. The reason he'll keep moving isn't maybe his pristine stats but that beautiful 3:1 groundball-flyball ratio.

Wilfredo Boscan
21 - Bakersfield Blaze
Got a full exposure to professional hitting. Sadly, it took place in the warm, dry California summer where ERAs go to die. All numbers went up, but his strikeouts were also up.

Jacob Brigham
22 -- Bakersfield Blaze
Logged 132 innings after missing all of 2008 due to injury. Was good in Hickory before bump.

Wilmer Font
20 - Bakersfield Blaze
It's unbelievable that he's only 20. Was OK in 2010. A strikeout per frame. For 20, we'll take it.

Neil Ramirez
21 - Hickory Crawdads
Last season was a break-out for Ramirez and I get the feeling 2011 will be a continuance of that success. Tallied 142 strikeouts and just 37 walks. Seems like he spent 2010 figuring things out.

Matt Thompson
21 - Hickory Crawdads
Looks like Christian Bale. Also struck out 130 and walked 29 last year. He can look like Don Knotts with those numbers.

Robert Erlin
20 - Hickory Crawdads
Somehow, outdid Thompson: 2.12 ERA - 124 Ks - 17 BBs - .213 BAA. Cripes.

Miguel De Los Santos
22 - Hickory Crawdads
Struck out 112 in 70 innings. Slated for Frisco?

Andrew Doyle
23 - Hickory Crawdads
Logged at least two games with Arizona, Spokane, Hickory and Bakersfield. A college kid, I can picture him getting pushed a bit harder in 2011, barring injury.

Randol Rojas
20 - Spokane Indians
Next great Latin pitching prospect? Peripherals weren't great, but a 2.79 ERA is still a 2.79 ERA. Also produced groundballs at a 2:1 rate over flyballs.

Nicholas McBride
19 - Spokane Indians
Posted a 2:1 groundball-flyball ratio in addition to striking out 51 in 70 innings.

Juan Grullon
21 - Spokane Indians
The Dominican is small (6-0), but has an arm. Struck out 44 and walked 10 in the Dominican Summer League, Arizona and Spokane.

Carlos Melo
20 - Arizona Rangers
Remember Melo? Part of the trade that sent Gerald Laird to Detroit? You should get to know him: 70 strikeouts in 58 innings last year. Posted a .204 BAA and 3.70 ERA.

Shawn Blackwell
20 - Arizona Rangers
Tall and slim (6-5 195), Blackwell struck out 42 and walked just nine. The ability to get outs and throw strikes bodes well for anyone.

Ezequiel Rijo
20 - Arizona Rangers
Struck out 44 and walked 18 while in Arizona.

Tech tabs Billy Gillispie

BCG

Billy Clyde Gillispie is known for many things.

The first thing that comes to mind, however, is not single handedly resurrecting the Texas A&M or UTEP men's basketball programs.

Instead, we think about his floundering at Kentucky, the school he jilted the Aggies for. Or his struggles with alcohol. Hell, being Gregg Williams' roommate in college may get a lot of attention.

If redemption is possible, Gillispie will find it at Texas Tech University -- a program who would have probably gotten beat by the women's team the last 20 years.

Tech's tried. They made a splash with Billy Knight, who strung together some decent seasons. Then his son Pat took over and it all went to shit. The Big XII may not be a "basketball" conference in the way the Big East or ACC are, but when you recruit out of Houston and Dallas, and across the nation, you can get good.

Competing against Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Baylor is not an easy task in football or basketball.

Gillispie will need to do in Lubbock what he's done in El Paso and College Station. Recruit fundamentally-sound kids that'll stick around four years. You don't do that in Kentucky. Kids that go to Kentucky expect to be NBA-ready within a year and if they win a national championship that freshman year, then so be it.

Expectations are high despite Gillispie's failures. However, Lubbock will be a different ball of wax. If he can recruit at all, foraging Texas for seven guys that can play shouldn't be too tough. Finding guys that'll stay shouldn't be too hard either. Guys that will sign on at Tech will expect to stick around three or four years to build whatever NBA Draft status they might have.

I predict good things for Tech and Gillispie. I think for any fan that enjoys someone getting a second chance will feel the same.

The NL East

Predicting the 2011 MLB season. Without a net.

NL West and NL Central

Philadelphia Phillies -- 100-62
Just imagine if Roy Halliday, Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee had all gone to the Miami Heat, we'd all hate them. The Phillies could be a disaster in four years. As for right now, they're the most fascinating thing in baseball and maybe in all of sports. They'll need all the pitching they can get. Jimmy Rollins ain't been good in two years and Chase Utley may never be healthy. Still, they'll win a lot of games.

Atlanta Braves -- 89-83
The Braves are a relatively young team that, should they get everyone back on track, they compete with Philadelphia in the East. Unfortunately, you depend on Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson, Jason Heyward and Nate McLouth taking a step or rebounding. You also depend on Tim Hudson, Derek Lowe, Scott Linebrink and Chipper Jones giving you a full season. Too many question marks for my money.

Florida Marlins -- 82-80
Two words: Javier Vasquez. The dude loves the National League. He'll win between 15-18 games this year. That's not even counting what Josh Johnson, Rick Nolasco, Chris Volstad and Anibal Sanchez gives you. Probably 12-15 wins each. Now, if they find any offense they'll be set. Lot of holes in that line-up.

Washington Nationals -- 73-89
It's not as if the Nats are that much better than the Mets. I tend to feel Jayson Werth will be worth at least four more wins.

New York Mets -- 72-90
In a division with the Phillies, Mets and Marlins, you can't compete with such piss-poor pitching. The Mets might have the worst overall staff in the Majors.

Bryan McCann can not handle success

McCann: "I like you."

Bryan McCann -- the undrafted free agent rookie from SMU -- produced two of the most exciting, season-turning plays of the 2010 season for the Dallas Cowboys.

Some guys can't handle the spotlight.

McCann was arrested Saturday morning for public intoxication.

To his credit, McCann says now he wasn't drunk nor was he a danger to himself or anyone else. The police have failed to turn up a police report. Yet.

This is confusing. Police -- no matter what you think of them -- tend not to waste time and paperwork hauling in guys for public intoxication when they are, indeed, sober.

McCann also adds that he was not only sober, but he wasn't a danger to anyone. If you're sober and not waving a machete around, why would you be a danger.

If you refuse a Breathalyzer, you get hauled in. And you can't tell whether you're legally drunk or just not as drunk as you've been before.

Chances are, McCann was tipsy and rowdy. He probably didn't think was that drunk. He gets accosted by the police. He's in the drunk tank and the rest is history.

Still the one

"And the Oscar for Death Scene goes to ... DeShawn Stevenson of the Dallas Mavericks!"

No matter how I feel about the Dallas Mavericks, I can not fathom a day when I dislike them clinching a playoff spot.

They did just that last night in a 101-73 thrashing of the Golden State Warriors.

It never gets old. That's why I've always landed on the Atlanta Braves side of the coin per the age-old discussion of consistently making the playoffs with no title or rarely making the playoffs, but winning titles. Like the Florida Marlins.

In baseball, I think the argument is cut and dry. In a 162-game season, you always take the playoffs and the chance you'll win at least one title. There ain't nothing worse than bad, meaningless baseball in August. Plus, in baseball, the team with 102 losses (and its fans) can't look forward to the top draft pick. For one, the MLB Draft is in June. Two, taking a high school kid with the first pick only to see him (maybe) in four years is not as fulfilling.

In the NBA, it's different. A bad team can get lucky, get a high draft pick and watch their fortunes change. Look at what Blake Griffin's done for Los Angeles despite them probably missing the playoffs.

Still, I like the playoffs and I like that the Mavericks are playing in them. I think turning a bad, so-so or good-but-not-great NBA team around is relatively easy with the right financials.

Unfortunately for the Mavericks, I think they're hands are tied. Meaning, I hope we do enjoy the playoff clinchers and 50 wins because that's, currently, all this team is capable of.

Case in point: Recent losses to Los Angeles, Portland and San Antonio where the Mavericks, frankly, looked like the lesser team.

In all three losses I never thought, "Man the Spurs (or Lakers) are 1 and the Mavericks are 1a."

I think it's the Spurs and Lakers. Then the fall off to the second-tier teams like the Mavericks, Blazers, Nuggets and Thunder. Don't look now, but the Mavs are a full game below the Lakers for the No. 2 seed and are set to face ... the Blazers in the first round.

The Blazers are a bad match for the Mavericks. Certainly, the Mavericks could win and if their testicular fortitude is worth a red nickel, they should win. But, I think, the Blazers are kryptonite and a bad draw for the Mavericks. Then again, I think the Mavericks have a tough road with anyone.

Spring Training 8.0: Questions and more questions

Cruz

Spring Training for our Texas Rangers rolls on and after taking a week's sabbatical, I find I have more questions now than I did 10 days ago.

I don't know if this is a good or a bad thing. Questions typically mirror uncertainty. Questions also open doors for opportunity.

I'm confused.

My questions:

1. What do you do with Chris Davis? He's hitting .405 and leading the team in RBI (15). Adrian Beltre and Mitch Moreland push him out of the infield. Mike Young's the DH. Is he tradeable? Surely, you don't give him away? Can he fetch some pitching help? This is why you never give up on a young player. You never know when he'll "get it."

2. Is Neftali Feliz a starter or reliever? I leave town with the story that he prefers to be a reliever. Then everyone realizes that they don't have a proven closer (!!!) and then the story is that Feliz's wishes might not fit the Rangers' needs. He went five innings over the weekend. Seems like he's getting nice and stretched out.

3. Do Mark Lowe's and Darren O'Day's springs scare the shit out of me? Yes. Especially Lowe, who's as unproven as they come.

4. Is Julio Borbon's time up with the Rangers? You'd think he was going to be executed at sundown on Wednesday, the way people are talking. He's struggled in centerfield. Frankly, he's not that great of a hitter (altough I love what he can do) to be an ordinary fielder. With those wheels, he needed to nail down center and he hasn't. Ron Washington isn't hot on him. He makes mistakes. And now everyone's talking themselves into the "Well, Josh Hamilton will get hurt no matter where he plays" discusssion. Which is dumb. The physical toll center takes as opposed to left or right field is not a discussion.

5. Is Mitch Moreland for real? Since he was drafted, all he has done is hit. Hit and hit. Nothing spectacular. Just hitting. I wonder if he has that extra gear turning him into a doubles hitter into a guy that can hit 25 home runs a year. I wonder if I sports crush on Moreland.

6. Is Brett Tomko making this team? Is he this team's No. 5 starter?

7. Do I love a rotation of C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Derek Holland, Neftali Feliz and Matt Harrison? Not entirely. But I can be wooed.

The NL Central

Predicting the 2011 MLB season. Without a net.

NL West

Cincinnati Reds -- 94-68
Think about this: They're about to get their second full years from Mike Leake and Aroldis Chapman. That's scary. This in addition to Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez and Homer Bailey. A good mix of veterans and youngsters. By the way, is this Jay Bruce's break-out year?

Milwaukee Brewers -- 85-77
Watch out for the Brew Crew! They've addressed their rotation and bullpen. Question is: Can they score? You've got your big guns, but will secondary bats come around and provide some support? Doug Melvin has Milwaukee back, contending.

St. Louis Cardinals -- 81-81
You don't lose your Cy-Young candidate No. 1 starter (Adam Wainwright and expect to bounce back that easily. Added two nice versatile bats in Nick Punto and Ryan Theriot, but I don't think it's enough. This is an extremely old team that's about to break the piggy bank for their star or they're going to let him go and start over. Tons of potential for injuries.

Houston Astros -- 80-82
I'd bet on a bounceback year from Carlos Lee, a break-out year from Brett Wallace and a continuance from Chris Johnson. If Houston can find themselves six or seven pitchers, expect them to win around 90 games, not 80.

Chicago Cubs -- 78-84
I think Matt Garza helps. However, this is an old, 75-win team a year ago in a tough division. Adding Carlos Pena to a team that swings free and easy (Rudy Jaramillo!) is not a good thing. Might set a franchise record in strikeouts.

Pittsburgh Pirates -- 62-100
Ugh. I feel so bad for the Pirates and the city of Pittsburgh. I feel that they deserve better. If your big addition is Kevin Correia, then things are amiss.