In a video on the official Rangers site Washington is seen saying that he will wait for Feliz to "let us know." He said this in the context of CJ really wanting to switch to the rotation last year. This means mine and others' suspicions are correct that Feliz has been at least somewhat ambivalent about the move to the rotation. We will see if the horse race in ST gets him to come out and say for certain that he wants the move.

The Rangers have shut down Webb, saying he will not be throwing off the mound right now and that he will be on a delayed time table. Does this mean Webb experienced a setback people aren't talking about? I sort of doubt it because he will be throwing long toss to get his arm strength back up.

Feldman will not be ready for opening day as he is still rehabbing his knee.

Omar Beltre is having spine surgery.

All that depth is already starting to seem less depthy although it is true that Feldman and Webb could be during-the-season options.

This is how our depth chart looks now without Feldman, Webb, and Beltre not ready for opening day.

Out of the following six who do you think will be in the top six (5 starters and long reliever)? Or more accurately, who is the odd man out for opening day? I suppose if Harrison made the team as long man and Feliz went back to being a closer you wouldn't have an odd man out at least until Webb is ready to make his debut (assuming that he is a more viable option than what you have already). I personally hope that Hunter is the long man and Feliz and Kirkman make the rotation or I suppose Hunter could start at Round Rock if Harrison beats him out for the long man role. Its going to be an interesting road. One last question: What do you think the probability is that one or more of these 7 goes down with injury during ST?

Wilson
Lewis
Hunter
Holland
Kirkman
Feliz
Harrison

And this second tier group is looking a lot thinner with Webb, Feldman, and Beltre gone for opening day and potentially deep into the season.

Ogando
Hurley
Bush (the fly balls will be home runs in Arlington)
Mclung
Tomko

I didn't watch the video so I could be way off here, but in Wash-speak, I think something to the effect of "We're going to wait until he lets us know" means (judging from the way CJ's move to the rotation was handled, and from what I've read about Neftali's potential move) "We're going to watch him, see how he handles it, and if he handles it really well, so well that he can be a great starter in this league, then that's him letting us know he is a starter." I could be wrong, but I don't really think Feliz has been ambivalent about his desires. He wants to do what CJ did last year. But he also knows that if he's just a decent starter, it would probably be better for him (at least for now) to continue dominating as a closer. Personally, I don't think his secondary pitches are nearly consistent enough for him to be ready to start. Put me in the camp of (at least for now) Ogando before Feliz. But I see both of them in the bullpen this year.

Which puts Holland/Kirkman in the 4/5 spots (assuming Hunter lands the 3rd spot). Holland gets most of the pub, but I'm not sure which one of those I like better right now. When Kirkman hits his spots, he can be really, really good.

I like Bush for the #5 role. I know he's a fkyball pitcher, but I think he has a high floor. He'll pitch on a 1-2 WAR pace (extrapolated over 162 games) for as long as you run him out there. If there wasn't a chance for Webb/Feldman/Beltre to get well, I would be more apt to look for upside. But as a 6-week Band-Aid, Bush makes a lot of sense.

cardhorn,

Look at the video and you will see what I mean about Feliz. Wash was basically contrasting CJ wanting to do it versus Feliz who is ambivalent, that was pretty clear I think if you watch it.

Scooby,

Maybe I agree with you about Bush if some combination of Feliz, Hunter, Kirkman, and Holland does not step up and shine in camp. My dream is that Holland Feliz and Kikman are 3, 4, and 5, Hunter is the long man and Harrison starts at Round Rock. If all three of those guys shined in camp that would be awesome.

I like the: CJ
Bonsai
Feliz
Holland
Kirkman
lineup.
Hunter- long man
Ogando- closer
I think Feliz is the most talented pitcher we have, as the year progresses you guys will see an Ace by playoff time!!!

I know Harrison doesn't get much love, but he has very good stuff. He is a lefty capable of throwing 95 with movement. If he really has worked on putting hitters away like he claims he could be a very productive pitcher for the Rangers.

This whole thread seems pointless, since we have no idea yet whether Feliz or Ogando will be joining the rotation. It seems like you have 3 locks in CJ, Lewis and Hunter. Holland has to have the inside track on #4. Feldman and Webb both will not be ready, so that leaves a bunch of other guys lined up to compete for #5. But like I said, that's a moot point if Feliz is your #5 - and we won't know this until we see how they use him in ST. If he starts games and gets stretched out like the other starters, then it'll be a go. If not, then they'll be looking to Kirkman, Harrison, Bush or Hurley to take that 5th spot. Right?

I love Harrison when he can throw that "mean" cut fastball, but I don't think he can beat out Holland and Kirkman.
Harrison is just like any other pitcher with 95 and good movement.... he has to put an exclamation point on his raw talent.

Steve,

I think everyone knows Harrison has good stuff but good stuff doesn't always translate to on the field success. Maybe Scooby is right that he would be a good long man or even a middle or setup relieve at some point in the future.

Joe,

A lefty that throws 95 and has 2 other quality pitches he can throw for strikes doesn't get labeled a long man this early in his career.

Oof, go ask the Cards this question...they just lost Wainright to TJ surgery. Dang, that sucks.

CJ
Colby
Hunter
Holland
Bush

But thats just how the season starts. Who knows what really happens. I worry most about Hunter being a 3. I'm not sure he is that good. But he seems to be a favorite so he probably gets plugged in there. I would love for Webb or Kirkman to be ready/take over a starting job.

That sucks bad for the Cards. Maybe Chris Carpenter is available earlier than expected this season.

And he's my #1 guy on my fantasy team. Or was...

It is a good lesson, though - you hate to overpay for pitchers. They usually do get serious arm injuries at some point.

Is he guna be the next Brandon Webb??

What about milwood could get him cheap and see how it would turn out?

LOL on Millwood. If they need Millwood to make them better, they are in a whole heap of trouble.

nice one.........dumbass...................?.?.?

Well the yankees were thinking he could make them better

Just shows you how stupid the Yankees are! :)

But I want to point out that I wasn't the one who called you a dumbass; I merely disagreed with the idea. The "dumbass" comment was rude and uncalled for.

I watched a couple of recent clips of Webb throwing and he grimaced in pain.
I know he "wow'd" Wash with his last throwing session (just PR bs), but he really looked bad.
I don't think this guy is going to make the rotation, not this year......hope I am wrong.

Joe

I respectfully disagree with you and Scooby on Harrison.
I am tired of him in "long man or even a middle or setup relieve" role.
At this point, he will either make the rotation or say hello to Round Rock...... (as a starter)
Give him about 10 games down there and he may suprise everybody !

I think like everyone I am tired of high hopes Harrison.

I would rather Kirkman, Feliz, and Holland get a chance unless he is as unstoppable as he claims he can be. Then of course give him the ball.

Until then its all bull. To be frank he sounds pissed off, and while being pissed might work for hitters sometimes I'm pretty sure pitchers just need to be calm and confident in their stuff and their command.

Joe must have missed the World Series last year. I wouldn't call that crazy SOB with the shoe-polished beard "calm"...

How can people be giving up on Harrison already? He was a highly touted prospect for the braves. He had 98mph fastball last year as a lefty. He might not be a TORP but he could be a solid 3/4. I have a feeling that if the Rangers give up on him he might be the next John Danks or Volquez