Rangers Mailbag: Life Without Yu
105.3 THE FAN -- One of my favorite things about working in sports media is connecting with people and engaging in conversation. I'm always happy to answer your questions about the Rangers -- or, anything you'd like to ask.
Feel free to send them in on twitter @sandlerj (#AskJared) or by email, sandlerj1@gmail.com. I'll answer your questions as best as I can.
Each week, I'll select some questions and post them along with my answers online for others to see. Here's the first batch:
Is Detwiler a lock for the rotation with Yu Darvish's injury? Who will fill out the five-man group?
-- Rollins, Grapevine
I won't call him a lock, but I'll offer that he's one step below that. The key is in the padlock, he just has to turn it, if that makes sense.
There are a handful of candidates to round out the rotation behind him, one of whom is young prospect, Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez. I think he'll need a great Spring to open the year in Arlington, but I expect him there by June 1.
I get the sense the Rangers would love for Anthony Ranaudo, an off-season acquistion from the Red Sox, to "win" that spot, but he'll have to earn it in the Spring. If no one does anything this March to jump ahead of the pack, Nick Tepesch will likely begin the year in that role.
Watch out for Ross Ohlendorf, a veteran who throws his fastball in the low-to-mid 90s, to make a push. The organization loves him and, for what it's worth, he made a nice first impression in Cactus League play, striking out five in a row over two scoreless, hitless, walkless innings.
What do you expect from Prince Fielder?
-- Justin, Dallas
The doctors say he's good to go physically, so with that said, I'm going to answer as such. If he is healthy, I expect him to exceed 30 homers and 100 RBI, hitting at least .280.
I don't think he was in a career decline the past two years. After digesting information, I don't think he was physically right and fought through some impediments that hindered his performance.
Having the chance to speak to him a few days ago, I asked about how his injuries impacted his swing, and he explained how it slowly graduated from something that annoyed him, to something that limited him, ultimately to something that disabled him from playing.
Who has been the most impressive player so far this Spring?
-- Carlos, Lancaster
Of the dark horses to make the Opening Day roster, Jared Hoying has gotten off to a great start. He's picked up base hits in five of his first ten at-bats including one home run. He runs really well and has looked strong in the field.
Also in that category has got to be Ross Ohlendorf. Though I didn't see him, electing to watch Sunday's split-squad game in Surprise, he went two perfect innings with five consecutive strikeouts, consistently delivering his fastball in the mid-90s.
For those likely to crack the Opening Day roster, I liked what I saw from Ross Detwiler in his Cactus League debut on Saturday and Delino DeShields' speed is quite impressive.
The big names have been fine. It was nice to see Prince homer.
Will the Rangers try and make a trade for a starting pitcher in response to Yu Darvish's injury?
I don't think they will go after a big-name, high-cost pitcher right now.
You add those guys to build upon what you have, not to try and patch something up. The cost will be too steep or such a high risk. They are best served to play with what they have and see where it takes them. Come July, if they need a boost for what is clearly a team challenging for a playoff spot and, possibly, more, then seek a deal.
Is it foreseeable for them to go after a cheap candidate to boost competition? Sure. I still don't know if I see that happening at this point.
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