In the main thread, there was a link to a couple of Baseball Prospectus pieces from Joe Sheehan about how the Rangers could become a “dynasty” if they become sellers this year; turning players such as Milton Bradley, Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, and Ramon Vazquez into young pitching. And it started me thinking about what it takes to become a dynasty. In my mind, either you need to have lots of quality players entering their primes at the same time, or you need to have lots of quality players at different stages and be able to quickly respond when some of them start declining.

While it certainly seems like the Rangers are getting close, it looks like the picture will start taking shape around 2011. I thought I’d just post a position-by-position listing of the candidates for that opening day lineup. The numbers next to the players are their ages as of March 31st, 2011 (I’ve also listed the date of birth). The criteria for my list were that each player has to be 22 at this time, and you have to be at least in Bakersfield right now (the only exception is Justin Smoak). I’ve also left players in their current positions, with the exception of Michael Young, who I can’t imagine will still be playing Shortstop by this time. Sheehan has got a (very good) point though about the pitching, which really looks weak.

Catcher –

Taylor Teagarden          27 (12/21/1983)

Max Ramirez                 26 (10/11/1984)

Jarrod Saltalamacchia    25 (5/2/1985)

Comments: Are there any major league catchers younger than Saltalamacchia? Seriously, I don’t think there is one. The closest one that I know of is Washington’s Jesus Flores (10/26/1984), born only 15 days after the Rangers’ current backup, Ramirez.

First Base –

Christopher Davis         25 (3/17/1986)

Smoak                         24 (12/5/1986)

Comments: Hopefully whoever is the General Manager at this time remembers those famous words of George Santayana when the Rangers have “too many” First Basemen. (Note: You don’t need to look it up; it was Santayana who said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”)

Second Base –

Ian Kinsler                   28 (6/22/1982)

German Duran             26 (8/3/1984)

Jose Vallejo                 24 (9/11/1986)

Comments: Kinsler in his prime.

Shortstop –

Joaquin Arias              26 (9/21/1984)

Marcus Lemon           22 (6/3/1988)

Elvis Andrus               22 (8/26/1988)

Comments: I’m not sure about Arias’s status regarding options (I don’t think the Rangers used one on him last year, so he might have one left after 2008). He can steal bases (he’s 14 for 16 this year), but rarely draws walks (he has 5 this year compared to 195 at-bats) and has no power. I’m thinking that if roster spaces start getting competitive, Arias could get DFA’d. As for Andrus, it’s possible that he arrives in Arlington before he turns 21.

Third Base –

Michael Young          34 (10/19/1976)

Travis Metcalf           28 (8/17/1982)

John Whittleman        24 (2/11/1987)

Comments: If Young does indeed get forced to move over to Third, my guess is that his biggest competition could come if the Rangers decide to try Davis at the position. Metcalf was hitting incredibly well in Spring Training (.412/.444/.824) until he injured his hamstring, requiring surgery. In the 33 games that he’s been Oklahoma City (working on his second option), he’s hitting just .226/.262/.315. It could be interesting to see what the Rangers do if they start having issues with the 40 (which, as we all know, “TRUMPS ALL”). From what I’ve read, Whittleman’s defense is absolutely horrific.

Outfielders –

Josh Hamilton         29 (5/21/1981)

Ben Harrison          29 (9/18/1981)

David Murphy        29 (10/18/1981)

Brandon Boggs      28 (1/9/1983)

John Mayberry      27 (12/21/1983)

Julio Borbon          25 (2/20/1986)

Comments: Hamilton is in. The two other guys are the real question. Harrison is Rule 5 eligible this year, and he’s hitting .335/.419/.589 with 14 stolen bases (in 16 attempts) in Double-A this year. It’s also possible that Davis’s future could be in the outfield.

Starting Pitchers –

A.J. Murray               29 (3/17/1982)

Scott Feldman           28 (2/7/1983)

Thomas Diamond      27 (4/6/1983)

Douglas Mathis         27 (6/7/1983)

Brandon McCarthy  27 (7/7/1983)

Luis Mendoza          27 (10/31/1983)

Michael Ballard        27 (2/6/1984)

Matt Harrison          25 (8/16/1985)

Eric Hurley              25 (9/17/1985)

Michael Schlact       25 (12/9/1985)

Evan Reed              25 (12/31/1985)

Tommy Hunter        24 (7/3/1986)

Zach Phillips            24 (9/21/1986)

Omar Poveda          23 (9/28/1987)

Kasey Kiker            23 (11/19/1987)

Comments: Possibly the biggest names in the system will be 22 on Opening Day 2011: Michael Main (12/14/1988), Blake Beavan (1/17/1989), and Neftali Feliz (5/2/1988). None of them, however, are currently above A Ball.

Relief Pitchers –

Brian Gordon           32 (8/16/1978)

C.J. Wilson              30 (11/18/1980)

Josh Rupe                28 (8/18/1982)

Kea Kometani         28 (12/24/1982)

Warner Madrigal     27 (3/21/1984)

Ryan Falcon            26 (8/27/1984)

Josh Lueke             26 (12/5/1984)

Andrew Laughter    26 (2/24/1985)

Beau Jones             24 (8/25/1986)

Comments: Projecting future relievers is hard because so many starters are eventually moved to the bullpen.