What They Need: Texas Rangers – Pitching… pitchingpitchingpitching…. PIIIITCHIIIIINGGGGGAHHH!

Really, I think this post could end right there.

In fact, I think it does.

.

.

.

.

.

Okay, FINE. I couldn’t do that. I’m sorry.

But the Texas Rangers really do need some freakin’ pitching already. I mean, they were basically first in all the offensive categories, and basically last in all the pitching categories. It doesn’t get much more clear than that.

But fortunately, the Rangers actually have a farm system loaded with pitching, some of which could be ready as early as 2009. I’ll quote Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus here so you’ll believe me:

…the Rangers have one of the deepest and most talented systems in the minors, especially when it comes to pitching. Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland are both high-ceiling power arms who could be ready as early as mid-to-late 2009. The 2007 draft netted top-level high-school pitchers Michael Main, Blake Beavan, and Neil Ramirez, while a recent focus on international talent produced a stunning rotation at short-season Spokane that included Ramirez and lefty Martin Perez. Their 2008 first-round selection, Justin Smoak, fell into their lap and was far better than the 11^th overall pick that they acquired him with.

Yes, even this kind of pitching.

To acquire perhaps even more pitching (or maybe a corner outfielder), the Rangers also have an excess of something that a bunch of other teams need very badly, something that is all too rare: catching. Legitimate, not-old catching. With upside. Aside from Gerald Laird, who’s the old man of the bunch at 29, they’ve got three kids: Jarrod Saltalamacchia (the youngest), and Taylor Teagarden (the eldest), and Max Ramirez (the well-adjusted middle child). Ker-ching, ker-ching!

One other thought: since they have a ton of pitching prospects in the pipeline, it might be a good idea to find a veteran innings-eater while the young guns are developing. Paul Byrd? Jon Garland, who is expected to decline arbitration? Carl Pavano is looking for a place to prove himself — weeks ago, it was rumored that he and Florida had mutual interest, and recently, the Mets were mentioned, but I think Texas might be a better fit than New York. The Rangers are rumored to be among six teams wooing Randy Johnson — he isn’t my definition of an “innings eater” anymore, but the 45 year old would at least put some butts in the seats and give the kids a mentor. (He seemed to relish the role in Arizona.)

Anyway, yeah: pitching. Young pitching, old pitching, fat pitching, thin pitching, one pitching, two pitching, red pitching, blue pitching. That’s what Texas needs.

-What They Need Index-