To see is to Feliz 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.
Today, the 2011 Texas Rangers might get a glimpse into their future.Neftali Feliz begins his transition to being a starting pitcher after having spent the last two years in the bullpen.
For the last 12 months, I've been thoroughly convinced that the Rangers (and Feliz) would be best suited for the starting rotation. My opinion is that you have your best pitcher in the rotation no matter what.
Nothing against Hall of Fame relievers like Bruce Sutter, Mariano Rivera, Lee Smith or Trevor Hoffman. At some point, they might have been good starters. Maybe not. Something about their arsenal or make-up led their respective teams to believe they could best operate for one inning every other or every two days or so. It's just the way it is.
My argument flowered in the 2010 MLB All-Star Game when I saw the Colorado Rockies' Ubaldo Jimenez pitch for the National League. A lanky Latin kid throwing 100 mph as easy as breathing. I sat there and saw the future of Neftali Feliz.
Finally, this off-season, Rangers brass thought the same. Feliz would be stretched out in Spring Training and at least given a long good look at being a starter. All of this is not possible without Alexi Ogando growing up (and getting to the United States) and the acquisition of Arthur Rhodes -- two arms holding down the bullpen, the former being the heir apparent at closer (if not, himself, a starter).
For once, I agree with Randy Galloway: Feliz is the key.
Feliz could make you forget about Cliff Lee. Feliz could push C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis to their more natural spots down in the rotation. Feliz could relieve the pressure on Brandon Webb to get back. Feliz could become this team's No. 1 starter. Feliz could solidify the front end of the rotation. Feliz could make Rangers fans go crazy. Feliz could make the Rangers division champions, again.
Feliz is everything. I hate to be dramatic. But he's the only young pitcher in the organization that has the stuff and velocity to be a front-of-the-rotation starter right now. Nobody in the organization has what Feliz has and that includes Wilson, Lewis, Tommy Hunter, Derek Holland or Michael Kirkman.
I do think the Rangers do well this season even with Feliz pitching OK as a starter or back in the bullpen. But Feliz being Feliz makes them darn-near unstoppable in the American League West and in a playoff series. I think Feliz is still in the starting rotation in 2011 if the Rangers keep Cliff Lee. I think Feliz could be good enough to shut Michael Young up.
I believe in Feliz, clearly. He's got something no one else has and something that we've maybe never seen. Balls the size of coconuts, swagger unparalleled and an arm like a rubber band.
Today begins the true defense of the AL West. In the hands of a 22-year-old.
