Spring training site
Surprise, Ariz.
2009 record
87-75, second in AL West
Manager
Ron Washington, fourth season
New faces
DH Vladimir Guerrero (free agent, Angels), LHP Rich Harden (free agent, Cubs), LHP Darren Oliver (free agent, Angels), IF Khalil Greene (free agent, Cardinals), OF Endy Chavez (free agent, Mariners), RHP Chris Ray (trade, Orioles), LHP Clay Rapada (trade, Tigers), IF Matt Brown (free agent, Angels), RHP Edwar Ramirez (trade, Yankees), RHP Colby Lewis (free agent, Japan), IF Hernan Iribarren (waivers, Brewers)
Biggest offseason acquisition
Guerrero should be an X-factor on offense for an already potent lineup, helping Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler and Chris Davis by giving them better pitches to hit. He's not the Vladdy of a few years ago, but he'll still punish a pitcher's mistake.
Gone but not forgotten
OF Marlon Byrd (free agent, to Cubs), 3B Hank Blalock (free agent, to Rays), C Ivan Rodriguez (free agent, to Nationals), RHP Kevin Millwood (trade, to Orioles), IF Omar Vizquel (free agent, to White Sox), LHP Eddie Guardado (free agent, to Nationals), OF Andruw Jones (free agent, to White Sox), RHP Joaquin Benoit (free agent, to Rays), RHP Jason Jennings (free agent, to A's), IF Joe Inglett (waivers, to Brewers).
Best spring training battle
The bottom of the rotation is an open competition, with two lefties (Derek Holland, Matt Harrison) dueling with righty Brandon McCarthy and perhaps Neftali Perez, who might be more effective in the bullpen.
Projected lineup
- CF Julio Borbon
- 3B Michael Young
- LF Josh Hamilton
- DH Vladimir Guerrero
- 2B Ian Kinsler
- RF Nelson Cruz
- 1B Chris Davis
- C Jarrod Saltalamacchia
- SS Elvis Andrus
Projected starting rotation
- RHP Scott Feldman
- RHP Rich Harden
- RHP Tommy Hunter
- RHP Colby Lewis
- LHP Matt Harrison or LHP Derek Holland or RHP Brandon McCarthy
Projected bullpen
- RHP Frank Francisco (closer)
- RHP Neftali Feliz
- LHP Darren Oliver
- RHP Darren O'Day
- LHP C.J. Wilson
- RHP Chris Ray
- RHP Dustin Nippert
Biggest strength
In Texas, the lineup has always seemed to be decent. And on paper, they are stronger than last year with Guerrero. If Julio Borbon and Michael Young do their job at the top of the order, this team could be among the best in the majors at scoring runs.
Glaring weakness
The starting rotation isn't up to the level of the rest of the AL West, especially with the Mariners' addition of Cliff Lee. They're rolling the dice that Harden can stay healthy, and that's always iffy.
