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February, 2004:
Message to
Season Ticket Holders:
Since my tenure as GM began 3 years ago, we have embarked on an
aggressive rebuilding campaign that has seen us go from a last place
finish to 2 division titles (and trips to the ALCS) for the last 2
years in a row. The first year, we weren’t quite ready for that level
of success, but we learned a number of lessons that enabled us to get
back the following year despite a few injuries and a very shallow
bullpen. This year, expectations are high, and we are poised to
finally break through to the next level. We welcome back to spring
training all of our starting pitchers from last year, plus a healthy
Kevin Brown and Gil Meche. The result should be the strongest rotation
in team history. Veterans Brown and Jason Schmidt are expected to
serve as co-aces, and as mentors to young guns Kip Wells, Wade Miller,
Mark Buehrle, and Tony Armas. Although we wave goodbye to Danys Baez,
we are excited about the addition of Rafael Soriano’s live arm.
Soriano should step right into the closer’s role with Tom “Flash”
Gordon and youngster Erasmo Ramirez setting him up. We also expect to
make a couple of additions to bolster this bullpen before Opening Day.
On the other side, the Rangers have always featured a strong offense,
but this year should prove even better. Alex Rodriguez, Lance Berkman,
Jim Thome, and Jorge Posada will all be returning to contribute as
middle-of-the-order run producers. But this year the supporting cast
should be much stronger, as Matt Stairs, Milton Bradley, sophomore
Hank Blalock, and rookie Mark Teixeira are expected to significantly
step up their roles and immediately contribute. The re-acquisition of
Jason Giambi meant the departure of Erubiel Durazo, Baez, and Carlos
Baerga, but Giambi is penciled in as the starting DH and occasional 1B
behind Thome, and should provide a boost to our run production.
Youngsters like Kevin Mench, Carlos Pena, Hee Seop Choi, Ryan Ludwick,
and Laynce Nix are all expected to see limited action this season as
they put the finishing touches on their promising minor league careers
and cut their big league teeth. All in all, the organization is in
better shape than ever before, and is poised to make a run at its
first World Series appearance ever.
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APBL
Champions
33 Years & Counting