Kuzul

The Texas Rangers were long-regarded as an offensive-minded ball-club, built upon the strength of their lineup, with pitching generally seeming like an afterthought.  Since Nolan Ryan took control of the franchise however, the emphasis on building a deep, talented pitching staff has become a priority. Perhaps not so coincidentally, the Rangers have experienced more success in the last two seasons than they had throughout their entire history up to 2010. Beginning in 1961 as the Washington Senators, the franchise had only experienced three playoff series, losing in the first round in 1996, '98 and '99, before their two-consecutive AL pennants over the last two seasons. Still an offensive powerhouse, Texas has taken a more balanced approach to building their roster, focusing as much on pitching and defense as on the strength of their lineup. There are few one-dimensional players on the squad these days, a welcome change from seasons past. After two straight years ...

As the two marquee players available in this year's MLB free-agent market, Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder figured to cash in mightily once they received a favorable contract offer and signed upon the dotted line.Both career-long members of their respective clubs, the two sluggers have built impressive resumes for which they were paid handsomely by their new clubs.Pujols, a modern legend during his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, has produced Hall of Fame caliber numbers through his first 11 seasons as a major leaguer. Even a cursory glance at his career statistics is enough to recognize the staggering nature of his greatness.Fielder, though not quite on the same tier as Pujols, has proved to be incredibly durable and has become one of the game's most-feared power threats. His combination of sheer power, plate discipline and durability is rather formidable. It was once unthinkable that Pujols would ever leave St. Louis, ...

This offseason, the free-agent market is thin at multiple positions, but closer is not one of them.Even after Jonathan Papelbon, the highest-profile closer available was signed to a record contract by the Philadelphia Phillies, the depth of talent still available is significant.Numerous teams across the league still have a void at the end of their bullpen and various others remain less-than-fully committed to their incumbent closer.Though there is a deep pool of accomplished pitchers to choose from, teams have to be slightly distressed by the market that Papelbon's contract set, as he signed a four-year deal with the Phillies for $50 million, which is a record for guaranteed money for a reliever.Various teams remain in the hunt, however, with the Red Sox, Mets, Blue Jays, Rangers, Twins, Dodgers and Marlins exploring their options, along with numerous others.It will be interesting to see if any of the remaining closers available benefit ...

The MLB 2011 First-Year Player Draft field is being touted as one of the richest in terms of baseball talent in recent memory.Top college hurlers such as UCLA's Gerrit Cole, Virginia's Danny Hultzen, and Texas' Taylor Jungmann abound, as well as elite high school arms like Dylan Bundy and Taylor Guerrieri. This draft is loaded with pitching talent that should allow teams to stockpile arms over the course of the 50 rounds of draft picks.Not only are there elite pitchers available, but Rice's 3B Anthony Rendon and high school outfielder Bubba Starling headline a talented crop of position players who will compete with the arms for high draft pick status.As far as the Texas Rangers are concerned, they won't be able to cash in on the top names in the draft, as their strong finish in 2010 moved them down in the overall selection order. They also forfeited their top ...

In a strange twist of fate in Texas Rangerville, outspoken franchise CEO Chuck Greenberg is on his way out of town, and disgruntled star Michael Young—he of the trade demands and vitriolic accusations aimed at team management—is apparently staying in Arlington.Young, angered after the team had ousted him yet again from his position with the team, sounded off on Rangers' management, especially GM Jon Daniels, accusing Texas brass of misleading him and treating him unfairly.Of course, the Ranger infielder never fully elaborated on his accusations, but his comments aroused healthy doses of speculation as the team entered camp following its most successful season in franchise history.Young cooled on his initial trade demands after it became apparent that the team wouldn't be able to accommodate him immediately, nor were they willing to simply for the sake of appeasing him.As spring training has progressed, the Texas star and management have done their ...

Blessed with a solid core of dynamic hitters, talented pitchers and skilled defenders, the Texas Rangers possess an exciting, well-rounded team that will endeavor to defend their 2010 American League Championship. Stars like Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Adrian Beltre have track records to give an idea of what to expect from them in 2011. If health permits, the Rangers know what type of production they will likely receive from well-established players as they seek to return to the World Series.To do so, they will need the production from the stars, as well as players stepping up their game throughout the squad. With loads of emerging talent throughout their roster, there is any number of players who could turn a corner in 2011 to make valuable contributions to the Rangers efforts to once again reach the playoffs.As we steadily progress towards Opening Day, let's check out some of the Rangers poised ...

It's often said that love is fleeting, a feeling or state of being that is difficult to maintain, always slipping through our fingers just when we think we have a firm grasp on it. In our relationships, we often struggle to keep this feeling alive, making immense sacrifices and even turning our backs on our better judgment at times, all in an effort to capture the elusive treasure that all people crave. Throughout our lives, so often we'll experience a string of relationships, some great, others forgettable, and a few utterly disastrous.  We persevere however, because we know the payoff can be so rewarding. Love is undoubtedly hard work.  When it sours, we may have to endure deceit, betrayal, jealousy and a vast range of excruciatingly unpleasant emotions.    There is a love however, that in my life has never caused me the pain and heartache that so often accompanies the quest for romantic ...

Michael Young, Texas Rangers' second baseman, shortstop, third baseman, first baseman, I mean designated hitter, has finally had enough. The longest tenured player on the American League's defending champions has demanded a trade from the only Major League team he has ever known. Not only that, but he has finally broken his silence regarding his perception of the manner in which the Rangers have handled him in recent seasons. Originally the Rangers' starting second baseman upon his ascension to the big league squad in 2001, Young made the transition to shortstop in a selfless move to accommodate the newly acquired Alfonso Soriano prior to the 2004 season. Short had recently been vacated by the departing Alex Rodriquez, who was heading to the Bronx in exchange for Soriano. Young made the transition easily, dutifully serving as the Rangers' shortstop from 2004 to 2008, while being named to the American League All-Star ...

During the late 1990s, the Texas Rangers had no greater nemesis than the New York Yankees. Despite winning three division titles in four years during 1996, 1998 and 1999, the Rangers never had much to show for their domination of the American League West. Easily dispatched by the Bronx Bombers in the first round each time, Texas only managed to win a single game in 10 contests with the so-called "Evil Empire." Texas was merely the first stepping stone for the Yankees en route to their World Series titles in each of those three seasons. Fast forward to 2010. After never having progressed beyond the first round of the playoffs in their entire franchise history, Texas defeated the AL East Champion Tampa Bay Rays to set up an ALCS clash with their longtime foe from New York. Though only Darren Oliver had been present for the late '90s humiliations at the hands of the Yankees, ...

In the middle of the night, while many East Coast baseball fans were sleeping, possibly dreaming of the glorious news that the Yankees had finalized a deal to bring Cliff Lee to the Bronx, the unthinkable occurred: somehow, the Yankees didn't get their man. With the shocking revelation that the Philadelphia Phillies had undercut both the Yankees and the Texas Rangers in a surprise move to bring Lee back to the City of Brotherly Love, many Yankee fans are cursing Lee, Brian Cashman, Ruben Amaro Jr., and anyone else who can be blamed for this calamity. Surely, someone must be to blame. This was preordained, written in the stars; Lee was already almost a Yankee once. He was trying to decide where to live in New York before being suddenly traded to the Rangers in July. With his former Cleveland rotation mate, CC Sabathia, already in the Bronx fold, Lee surely would follow ...