Poor Toby's Almanac...Robinson, Cruz
Toby descends from a pack of wild dogs that have roamed the mystical lands of the Transvaal since the beginning of time. Each Sunday morning, he helps us look ahead.
The week that is: This is a big week for Robinson Tejeda and Nelson Cruz. Simple is that. At some point the Rangers should get Mark Teixeira and Michael Young back in the lineup but the two guys to watch this week are Cruz and Tejeda.
The Oracle of the Elysian Fields: "Oakland knows how to win. They know what they're doing over there. I'm only concerned with the Texas Rangers. I'm concentrating on what we're doing and hoping that Oakland falls flat on their face." Rangers manager Ron Washington.
The rotation: Tejeda is not off to a great start this spring and there are already rumblings, which is typical for the Rangers. Kameron Loe has been terrific and people are falling in love with Jamey Wright.
Tejeda has pitched 62/3 innings and allowed ten hits and five walks. He was 4-2 with a 2.32 ERA in his last nine start this past season but that's already starting to fade from some people's minds.
He pitches on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants and he needs a strong outing. He came into camp as the No. 4 starter but the Rangers have always been fickle about such things when it comes to young players.
Tejeda can overpower hitters with his fastball, which is what he did at the end of last season. He needs his "secondary" pitches to get better, both his breaking ball and his changeup. Tuesday's start is going to be very interesting.
Outfield: Cruz came into camp as the starting right fielder. That was before Sammy Sosa took over the camp and became the No. 1 story of the spring. But, while Sosa has been terrific, Cruz has had to deal with shin splints and the effects of getting it in the head with a pitch.
As of Sunday morning, he is just 2-for-16 at the plate. Remember, the Rangers have Sosa, Frank Catalanotto and Brad Wilkerson for their rotation at DH and the two corner outfield spots.
Cruz needs to get going at the plate or he could find his status in jeopardy. Things do have a tendency to change quickly around here.
Others to watch: Wes Littleton, Rick Bauer, Frank Francisco. The battle for those last spots in the bullpen is heating up. All three of those guys could use some good outings on the mound.
Weather: A cold front in the desert? That's what it looks like. After enduring a scorching week of 90-plus degree heat, it's actually supposed to cool off here. The forecast for both Wednesday and Thursday is partly cloudy and highs of only 68 degrees.
Birthdays: Again, it's a big week for Robinson Tejeda. He turns 25 on Saturday.
Last call: "I played winter ball and in the Caribbean World Series. I don't need that many at-bats. My swing is there. But I need to start playing." Nelson Cruz
Hi T.R.
1/I have heard/read that the Rangers have had enquires about some of our bullpen and we have to clear 2 spots on the roster for Sosa and Hairston jr. What do the Rangers need in exchange?
2/ JD should know that the closer postion is a big IF for Gagne whereas Aki was very good last year and is just as good this year (so far). Why would he consider trading Aki?
3/ Just a comment on Toby ..He looks like a very healthy dog .. white teeth, pink gums and a damp nose .. all good :)
Thanks TR
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1. Right now the Rangers most immediate need is possibly a backup catcher. But they could use outfield depth as well.
2. I don't see Aki going anywhere. Too valuable
3. The dog is nuts
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I still believe Robinson Tejeda is a very important piece to the Ranger starting five. When he beat us with the Phillies in interleague play in '05, I had never heard of him, but was privately wishing how I wish we could somehow, someday corral this guy. His last half of the season proved he could do the job, and I'm still confident in him. Sometimes it seems, the young Latin pitchers all come up thinking they are Juan Marichal and want to throw the ball past every batter. I suspect he will settle in nicely in the rotation. I pray he doesn't get relegated to the minor leagues, because I feel this guy can pitch.
Gagne is a huge question mark, though his actually helping us this year would be like catching lightning in a bottle. If he can produce, he's a real plus, if not, we have a reliable Aki. Please let's not harbor thoughts of trading Aki--thanks TR for making me feel better about not parting with Aki.
Nelson Cruz was the Milwaukee Brewers up-and-coming stud. Jon Daniels pried him away from Doug Melvin for taking Carlos Lee off their hands since the Brewers are real pinch-pennies. Lee went, and good riddance. Cruz is a prized commodity, no question about it...HOWEVER, he must be able to recapture his batting stroke-soon. Otherwise he could be passed, by GASP, Brad Wilkerson. That in itself ought to induce him and push him to regain his former brilliant self (in the minors, at least). We need a healthy Nelson Cruz, and if this guy can hit, and we've seen him field and throw, then we have truly been fortunate--thanks to whatever Jon Daniels spiked Doug Melvin's Mint Julep with, in order to include him in the Lee trade.
Otherwise, as Spring Training accelerates towards Opening Day, I thank TR for his updates, for this blog, and I'm hoping this is the Rangers' year. Gosh, I guess I've been caught up in Washington's rosy optimism. It seems to be catching.
p.s...Thank you, too, Toby!
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TR,
Curious... you say you hear "rumblings" about Tejeda, and I take it about Cruz.
You say that the Rangers are "fickle" about young players who arent showing much early (hope I'm not putting too many words in your mouth)... are you discomfitted by the direction of the rumblings? If so, why?
Also, when you say the Rangers have always been this way, I do remember many times that Rangers management did such things over the years with young players. Yet, this is a different management team... Its not Melvin or Oates or Buck or Hart... its JD and Levine and Wash and Howe. Are the Rangers different in this respect from other teams' management? If so, are you saying there a culture which shapes the people, rather than the other way around? Is it ownership?
Finally, I'll just admit that Toby scares me... but as long as you can control him, I think I'll start letting the cat outside again...
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I think Tejeda and Cruz will be given more than a fair shot. That was conveyed to me after Toby had his say today. I hope that proves correct.
Toby is not scary. Just nuts
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That's great... I hope they get their acts together. Also wishing Loe good fortune, as you apparently are.
You know who's really scary is that guy in the armchair... is that Doubleday?
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I was wondering about the utility infielder position. Norm Hitzges was speaking with Ron Washington about it and Washington named everyone except Matt Kata. Kata's having a great spring. He's had timely hits, shown some power, plays good defense as evidenced by only one error this spring, and did I mention he is batting almost .500? What's not to like about this guy and why is he not even being mentioned?
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Well, I see the Ranger management has done it again. We need left handed starters and who is the 5th stater for the Chicago White Sox? JOHN DANKS. the number one selection by the Rangers, who was too young for us, but ****, he is all right for the White Sox. Why don't someone get a mind set of us needomg left handed pitchers and GET some!
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