Am I the only one who heard The Ticket reporting today that Feliz will go into Spring Training as a starting pitcher? This is GREAT news, in my opinion.

I haven't seen or heard that reported anywhere, and I'd be shocked if the Rangers would say that right now, before they know whether or not Lee will be here or what other moves they will make.

I heard The Hardline say that Wash said it on Norm's show. Mike said he approved. Didn't play any audio, though.

Maybe I misunderstood what they were saying, though. Did anyone actually hear Wash on Norm's show yesterday? I didn't listen to Norm.

I didn't listen intently to Norm's show, but I got the impression that they were going to give Feliz another shot at starting. It's not like there's any harm in starting him during spring training even if they're fairly sure they won't have room for him in the rotation.

Okay, so I'm not imagining this. The following quote from the Forums at Newberg:

"Heard on the Ticket today, Wash advises Norm, Feliz will come to Spring Training and be stretched out as a starter."

posted last night at 8:21 PM

This poster also did not hear Norm's actual interview with Wash, but heard Mike Rhyner, paraphrasing what he'd heard Wash say during a Norm appearance that morning, to Corby on The Hardline.

Same segment I heard last night.

This seems like bigger news than Forum fodder.

Any thoughts from Joey, or others?

Feliz is a starting pitcher, I think it would be folly to not stretch him out every March. One day, not if, but when, he will be a starting pitcher as he was always projected.
I think he will be the contingency to not bringing in another starter if that comes to pass.

I think this makes it a battle between Ogando and Feliz to make the rotation, the other gets closer, really I think we will be fine either way.

From the Star-Telegram the other day, "I wouldn't be for that," said Ryan, when asked if moving Neftali Feliz to the rotation would be part of the Plan B. He feels Feliz needs to remain as the closer until the new AL Rookie of the Year masters secondary pitches.
Ryan, of course, pushed last season for C.J. Wilson to be moved from the bullpen to the rotation, and that was a huge success. "No, I don't have another C.J. to give you at the moment," he said. "But [Alexi] Ogando may be someone of future interest."

There is a report on MLBtraderumors of Feliz talking to a reporter saying he has heard the rumors too, but nobody with the Rangers has approached him about it.

The notion of Ogando converting to the rotation is even more ridiculous than Feliz, in my opinion Not only has Ogando never started, but he is basically a two-pitch max effort reliever that really struggles with his mechanics when he tries to throw his CU. Given his age and present arsenal, it's not likely that he could make a smooth transition to starting. Feliz isnt going to be starting either, but its more realistic than Ogando.

Jason hate to say you are way off base IMO. Ogando has much better seconardy stuff than feliz does that is fairly obivous watching both of them pitch. Also Nolan even said Ogando is more likley to become a starter but I don't see neither of them doing so anytime soon. I do not see were everyone gets off on the thought that Feliz would be a good starter just because he has been a starter in the minors does not make that & bottomline Feliz does not have good enough secondary stuff to start! He is just fine were he is why fix what ain't broke I do think ogando could start but I am not dead set on
it like some of you ding dongs are on feliz. I hope feliz holds the closer role on this team for the next 15 years we can only hope that is the case.

Feliz used his FB over 80% of the time in 2010, and as a result his secondary pitches suffered in their development. I think he is a better fit in the pen as well, but I have a very good handle on what Ogando can bring to the table, and I really doubt he can make a smooth transition, if he can make a transition at all..

Ogando has a very electric arm, with a plus-plus FB and a plus SL; however, he is a short-strider and uses a lower slot, which is perfect for his max-effort arsenal, but that aspect of his mechanics wouldnt translate to extended work. Ogando also struggles to get control over CU, which flashes potential, but he tips the pitch and he alters his arm slot.

It's nice to dream on the thought of both power arms transitioning to the pen, but I've yet to talk to a single scout or evaluator that believes Ogando is anything more than a late-inning reliever. I think Omar Beltre has the better starter's arsenal; its more complete. That said, he's probably destined for the pen as well. It's always going to be debatable, but Ogando would really struggle if stretched out and would be exposed after one pass through a line-up. Of course, those are just my opinions, and the team might end up trying him in a starter's role. I just don't see anything in his mechanics or arsenal that would suggest he could have sustainable success with extended exposure. I'll ask other scouts about the recent Ogando news. I know a few Texas League guys that scouted him earlier this season. Scouting reports change, so you never know.

I agree Jason. Ogando has no future as a starter but I believe he is a great bullpen guy. Feliz on the other hand has potential but he will need to work on command. His easy motion and calm demeanor could help him as a starter (although the Spankees have a pretty decent closer with similar mound composure in Rivera.) I say give Feliz a shot and worse case scenario you put him back in the closer role. I haven't read where Ryan said Ogando has better secondary pitches than Ogando because that is simply not the case.