is changed (i hope). we are really focused on sensible, long-term development from within instead of trying to patch together a team through a combination of acquisitional methods. im not saying FA signings cant be good here and there but it was like we had no identity; we werent a spend-or-die high revenue team like the yankees and we werent a low revenue scout-and-develop organization like the As.

The fact that we have a cornucopia of talent at pretty much all levels of the system doesnt hurt, but the promise of that talent wont be fulfilled if we dont stick to the plan. i see us as being competitive in 09 and 2010, but theres nothing to say things will be much better than they are this year (i.e. fringe wild-card contender). But where I see our organizational plan being truly effective is throughout the duration of the 2010s. As we draft and groom more and more talent down there and as our players from the 07 and 08 drafts hopefully progress we could be a true AL powerhouse ala the Indians of the 90s.

In 2004, the team was driven by its AllStar infield: Teixeira, Soriano, Young, and Blalock. Obviously all of them had long-term potential, but even then there were questions about Soriano. But the outfield was a bad hodgepodge of Dellucci, Nix, Mench, Eric Young, GMJ. None of those guys really were reliable going forward (though GMJ did get better). Pitching was more pivotal to that team, with good seasons by Kenny Rogers, Ryan Drese, and Coco. Coco was legit, as was Rogers, but I don’t think anyone thought Drese was a cornerstone.

In 2008, the team is stronger offensively – with Hamilton, Kinsler, Davis (and Young to a lesser extent) all being pieces who will be reliable going forward. Bradley appears to have found a home here, which will help if he stays. We’re set at catcher, as we all know, and Murphy/Boggs help in the outfield. Its not yet a perfect team, but its close to being the best offense in the league.

On the flip side, the 2008 pitching staff has been worse than the 2004 staff, but I would argue that there is more potential with the current crop going forward. Of the 2004 staff, only Benoit and Chris Young had potential to develop into the future, whereas most guys pitching for Texas now are guys who could get better going forward. Basically, the 2008 Rangers aren’t wasting starts on guys who have no future – at least one of the Mendoza/Feldman/Harrison/Hurley bunch will look back on these days and credit the Rangers for this tough learning year

Add in the minor leaguers knocking at the door, and I think we’re in a much better situation.

There is a lot of similarity. The lineup is strong, save a corner spot or two, and under control long term. The pitching is a mess, and while you have talent on the way, the best of it is not here yet. There are two pretty big advantages to the current situation. One, there is just more of everything. There are more position prospects on the way to supplement this fine core. There were only a couple of guys in 2004 that figured to add to what was already in place. Look at the Community Prospect Project and see how many guys are still coming. And there are way, way, way more pitching prospects, which is really the best thing working here. Two, the key SP prospect, Feliz (back then it was Danks), is almost ready.

The Young+Gonzales for Eaton+Otsuka really set that 2004 team back and dashed any hopes for 2005, especially once Eaton was hurt again. This makes me a bit leery of any potential trade for a starter the Rangers might do after the season.

Mench hit 26 bombs. Teixeira nearly hit 40. Nix showed promise before getting injured. Drese “found it” and was destined to head our rotation for the next few years. Blalock was well into his Hall of Fame career. Danks and Diamond were in the org, so we were penciling them in by 2007-2008. Newberg was telling everyone “It’s not about this year”. Let’s hope that Murphy isn’t Mench, Davis isn’t Blalock, Hurley isn’t Drese, Boggs isn’t Nix, and Hamilton doesn’t bolt like Teixeira before winning something.

that we’re done making pointless free agent signings like Hidalgo and Brian Jordan. Also, I dont think management really ever gave guys like Gonzalez a chance to succeed, like they’re doing with guys like Murphy, Boggs, and Harrison. Plus the quality of our pitching prospects seem far greater than what we had back then.

You really shouldn’t be counting on anything from these guys except maybe the score of the game the night before if you had to go to sleep before it was over.

Here’s all you need to know: when previewing the season this year Craig said he was interested to see what some of “these kids like Broussard” could do at the major league level.

the ticket does not know anything about baseball. i forgot who it was but the Rangers were playing the yankees and ian had a lead-off double, he stole third with 1 out and they were saying that his steal was pointless because he was already in scoring position. i guess they have never heard of a sac fly or the infield playing in.

as for the comparision of the 2004 and 2008 rangers. we have a younger team, better chemistry, a way better farm system with tons of talented young arms both in the minors and in the majors, and well buck is not here

Development of young players!

Is the laundry.

This Rangers team looks to be better in just about each way. The IF is basically a wash. I understand the OF then had promise, but there were plenty of holes in it. Nix had to learn to take a walk if he wanted to be successful. Looch was 30 and had a below average year to fill in as our LF. Mench was probably the lone bright spot in that OF. He just couldn’t cut it against righties in the future. Certainly nothing like the Bradley/Hamilton/Byrd/Boggs/Murphy combo we have going now which provides amazing defense with the great offense. And then the pitching now has 22-25 year old guys like Hurley, Hunter, Harrison, Feldman, and Mendoza in it to go with a couple of vets vs. a rotation anchored by a 39 year old Rogers and 28 year old sinkerball pitcher with the Rangers hoping to have something in Benoit, Dickey, Da Ho, and I’m pretty sure we had a good few Wasdin starts too. We still have the same crappy results, but with much better potential giving us those results.