The Rangers Opening Day roster looks like this:
Starting Rotation:
1. Ismael Valdez
2. Chan Ho Park
3. John Thomson
4. Colby Lewis
(Note: Ryan Drese is #5 but was option to Frisco since the Rangers won't need a 5th pitcher until two weeks)
Middle Relievers:
1. Aaron Fultz
2. Reynaldo Garcia
3. C.J. Nitkowski
Set Up/Situational Pitchers:
1. Francisco Cordero
2. Jay Powell
3. Esteban Yan
Closer:
1. Ugueth Urbina
Catchers:
1. Einar Diaz
2. Todd Greene (Utility guy too)
3. Chad Krueter (Chan Ho's personal catcher?)
Infielders:
1. Rafael Palmeiro
2. Mike Young
3. Alex Rodriguez
4. Hank Blalock
5. Mark Texeira
6. Jermaine Clark (Utility guy)
7. Mike Lamb (also an outfielder)
Outfielders:
1. Juan Gonzalez
2. Carl Everett
3. Doug Glanville
4. Ruben Sierra
15-DAY DL:
Rusty Greer, Kevin Mench, Herbert Perry, Todd Van Poppel, Jeff Zimmerman
Short overview:
The Rangers kept 11 Pitchers, 3 Catchers, 7 Infielders and 4 outfielders on the opening day roster. This will not be the roster for next week. Ryan Drese will be called up to be the number 5 rotation guy in the second week of the season. He will take his spot in the rotation at Frisco until then. To make room on the 25 man roster, the Rangers can move Greer or Zimmerman to the 60 day dl since Rusty is done and Zim won't be healthy until the all star break at least. They would also need to move either Greene or Kreuter or maybe Clark or a pitcher (Garcia or Nitkowski?). I don't see the Rangers opening day roster as being firm for very long. There are two spots left on the 40 man roster as well so if the right guy (Shane Reynolds maybe?) is willing we have the room.
The Rangers will probably field the following lineup opening day:
C- Einar Diaz
1b- Raffy Palmeiro
2b- Mike Young
ss- ARod
3b- Hank Blalock
LF- Carl Everett
CF- Doug Glanville
RF- Juan Gonzalez
DH- Mark Texeira
SP- Ismael Valdez
It is interesting to see that Buck Showalter kept so many utility type guys (Greene, Young, Blalock, Lamb, and Clark). I am surprised that Laynce Nix did not break camp with the Rangers as an outfielder. Look for him to get the call quickly. Rumors have the Tampa Bay Devil Rays being very interested in Carl Everett if the Rangers will pick up some of his salary.
Other rumors have the Rangers being asked about Mike Young, Mike Lamb, and Donnie Sadler (optioned to AAA). I would expect Reynaldo Garcia or C.J. Nitkowski are on the bubble to be demoted first on the pitchers side.
Comment away.....
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