Cruz in Centerfield if Manny joins the team? No need for Borbon/Gentry?

I have the same reservations about Cruz playing center as I do with Hamilton there. The ground those guys cover out there takes a toll on them. I believe Ken Griffey Jr's career was cut short because he played too long in center. Given Cruz's hamstring injuries, I'd prefer he play LF or DH.

Yeah, but that arm would be sexy in CF

I doubt he has suffucuent range to be anything better than a minus CF. I also like Borbon. I don't think this is in the cards.

I know Nellie steals his fair share of bases. But I think this has more to do with slightly above average speed combined with really good baserunning instincts than any kind of really good speed.

Also, are you suggesting Manny in RF every day? That seems like a disaster, especially with a limited-range Cruz in CF.

I think the Rangers will still use Borbon. However, it tickles the mind to imagine Murphy or Moreland in right, Cruz in CF, Young/Moreland at 1st, Manny/Young at DH. Fewer worries about weakness to LHP. Less need or worry about who should fill bench spots, since there is little need to pinch-hit.

I agree about Cruz's hamstring and Hamiltion's knee.

The most likely scenario is still to have Borbon in CF.

Boy, though, wouldnt it be KILLER to have a CRUZ as a centerfielder? (since Hamilton cant be risked there much more)

Why would you risk Cruz in CF if you're not willing to put Josh there? Plus, Cruz has played exactly 2 games in CF in the majors and that was in 2006.

I generally agree with you, Jesse. Maybe Cruz's hamstrings in 2011 will be better than Hamilton's knee. Still, Borbon is the likely result, I agree.

Just a little note here: Cruz's hamstring injuries have come running to first. His only injury in the field was rolling his ankle once, and that's got nothing to do with RF, LF, or CF. He's also claiming to be changing his running style to prevent future hamstring injuries. That being said, he's not really a candidate for CF duties.

No Manny, no Manny!

I think Cruz's range would be too poor to be anything but a below average CF, even though his range in RF is very good. Plus there's the same injury concerns as Hamilton, really big body to play CF.

Did everyone see that Cruz is "changing his running style" to cope with his hamstring issues? It was Anthony Andro's twitter. Maybe he will actually move his arms when he runs now.

Now that Joel pointed it out, he runs like the Zombies on Call of Duty.

He doesn't need to change his running style. He just needs to be a little more disciplined in the offseason by losing a few pounds and by improving the strength and flexibility of his posterior chain.

I don't think there are the same injury concerns over Cruz as there are over Hamilton. Cruz' injuries are musculature in nature. These don't tend to be degenerative over time the way skeletal issues (back, ribs) and joint issues (shoulder) do. I fear Josh will pop something in his back and that will be then end of his career as an effective ML player. Cruz may get hurt, but he'll come back good as ever.

Cruz would probably make a better CF than David Murphy, but that is damning with faint praise. He could play out there because of his bat, but the overall outfield defense would be very poor. Cruz in center, Manny in left? I don't know exactly what this would mean in terms of runs created / runs allowed, which is the heart of the question, really, but on the face of it, I don't like it at all.

Murphy or Moreland in right field, no need to play Manny in the outfield. Moreland and Young at 1st, Young filling in also at infield and DH. Manny would only play very sparingly in the outfield.

All told, I have agreed that the Rangers will likely use Borbon mostly in CF.

Goodasgold....

Nelson is on the bench then?

No, I am saying if Cruz were in center, it could be Hamilton in left and Moreland/Murphy in right long before a person would let Manny play in the field.

Makes sense. i just misread it.

I might use Josh in right for the arm, otherwise I think that would work.

I'm saying no to Manny. Leave Hamilton in center, Murphy in left, Cruz in right. And go out and sign Troy Glaus for some pop who can play 1B. Anyone else feel like the Rangers are kind of over spending on some players just because of last years success. I mean the Angels are in position to have the assets to make a run at Pujols next year, if he doesn't resign.

Not anymore, they're not. Thehy just spent their Pujols money on Vernon Effing Wells!

Taylor,

The Angels are officially idiots.....read the front page....no way they are going after Prince Albert.

Joe

Ramirez would of been limited to play the outfield and great addition only on a part time DH basis. It would have been more of a "luxury" or insurance to have him available off the bench we didn need him, but sure looks a heck of an atractive contract for $2M. Low risk very high reward type of deal.
The only solutions out there for CF will be Beltran with the Mets paying a big chunk of his salary or Pagan for say O'Day and a B prospect or for Matt Harrison. If the Rays are out of it in July, try to trade for Upton in case Borbon or Gentry are not producing.