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Here’s a line that appeared in the Boston Globe over the weekend: “The Rangers could become the first team to have both the league’s worst ERA and a winning record. The closest were the 1944 Red Sox, who were 77-77.”

I hardly think you can blame us for failing to predict something that had never happened before.

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The Rangers will crawl out of the cellar this year (thanks A’s) and contend in 2009. By 2010, look out. The farm system is loaded with quality arms. Elvis will be in the house and Chris Davis will be taking target practice at the home run porch at The Ballpark.

If the Rangers aren’t stupid, we may be looking at an extended run in the American League West.

Hope springs eternal in the Spring.

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“Forty-eight hours ago, Edinson Volquez would have qualified for this list, and also would have ranked second. While the Rangers were desperate for outfield help, they also have been desperate for pitching (and for a much longer time), and the decision to deal Volquez, who really looked like he had turned a corner during the second half of the season, is a curious one–-as is the decision to trade for Josh Hamilton, who can’t hit lefties. In addition, Hamilton, whether we want to talk about it or not, has an extreme problem with addiction, and one year does not necessarily heal anything. To go into a rant about how Hamilton is inexplicably treated like a hero in some circles, including receiving a key to the city of Raleigh this month, and how this is a representation of everything wrong with this country’s value system, would likely require another 1,000 words and only tick off my editors and some of my readers–-we’ll see if this sentence floats through as is and serves its purpose.”

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Phils (2007 ERA plus)
Hamels (136)
Myers (107)
Kendrick (119)
Moyer (92)
Eaton (73)

You COULD (I’d disagree, but I wouldn’t think you’re crazy) make the argument that Hamels and Myers combined will produce better numbers than Johan/Pedro. But the latter half of the rotation isn’t even close.

Whereas if you consider park factor the Mets lineup put up numbers that were just as good as Philly. In 2007 the Mets scored 5 fewer runs than Philadelphia away from their home parks. If you use OPS plus, the Mets come out slightly ahead.

Defensively, the Phils are better around the horn. I still think Reyes is better at short than Rollins, but Feliz is superior to Wright, and Utley vs. Castillo probably isn’t much of a comparison. Delgado/Howard is a wash. But I’ll take the Mets outfield over the Phils. Both Alou and Burrell may be useless, but Beltran/Church is better than Victorino/Jenkins.

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I’ll take the Phillies’ offense over the Mets’, the Phillies’ defense, and the Phillies’ bench. The Mets have better overall pitching.

With the Phillies, Mets, and Braves all expecting a run at the division title, it may take just 88 or 89 wins again as it did last season.

Good news for the Phillies: if Santana starts Opening Day, the Phillies will miss him in the first series in Queens! :)

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