Total Non-Sequiter but I was just thinking about how at the beginning of this season it will be 10 opening days since the Rangers have had a playoff appearance. I wanted to look bad at that lineup and consider the difference in each position, where we have improved, and where we are lacking from the team than won the West 10 years ago:

Starting Pitchers (1999):
Rick Helling
Aaron Sele
John Burkett
Mike Morgan
Esteban Loiza

Starting Pitchers (2009):
Kevin Millwood
Vincente Padilla
Matt Harrison
Scott Feldman
Brandon McCarthy

Relievers (1999):
Tim Crabtree
Mike Venafro
Jeff Zimmerman
Mike Munoz
Danny Patterson
John Wetteland

Relievers (2009):
C. J. Wilson
Eddie Guardado
Josh Rupe
Warner Madrigal
Derrick Turnbow
Frank Francisco

Infield (1999):
C – Pudge Rodriguez
1B – Lee Stevens
2B – Mark McClemore
SS – Royce Clayton
3B – Todd Zeile
DH – Raffy Palmiero

Infield (2009):
C – Taylor Teagarden
1B – Chris Davis
2B – Ian Kinsler
SS – Omar Vizquel/Elvis Andrus
3B – Michael Young
DH – Hank Blalock

Outfield (1999):
LF – Rusty Greer
CF – Tom Goodwin
RF – Juan Gonzales

Outfield (2009):
LF – Nelson Cruz
CF – Josh Hamilton
RF – Marlon Byrd/David Murphy

In 1999 their pitching, both relievers and starters could be considered significantly better. However, as a team they posted a 5.07 ERA, only 0.30 higher than the Rangers pitching staff surrendered in 2007. I think this year, barring another onslaught of injuries, the Rangers staff could post an ERA close to 5.00, if not slightly under. Other notable stats on the pitching side of things between the 2008 and 1999 seasons are strikeouts (963 in ’08 to 979 in ’99), earned runs, (860 in ’08, 809 in ’99), complete games (6 by each team) and hits (1647 in ’08, 1626 in ’09). Where you see a significant difference is in walks (625 in ’08, 509 in ’99), and runs (967 in ’08, 859 in ’99) which can pretty much be directly correlated with each other.

In 1999 their defense was much better than in ’08. In 2008 the Rangers had an embarrassing 132 errors, to 1999′s 114. Their total fielding percentages were very similar at .972 in ’08 and .975 in ’99. With the addition of Andrus and Vizquel at SS and Michael Young swinging to 3B, we should be able to cut down on some of the errors on the left side of the infield. Kinsler and the pitchers need to work on their gloves, however, and if Taylor Teagarden takes the starting role you can bet that behind the plate defense and game calling will improve significantly.

As for offense the ’08 team, which put up monster offensive numbers, is still behind what they did in ’99. The 901 runs they scored in ’08 along with a .283 batting average (huge numbers) do not compare to the 945 runs and .293 average the ’99 team put up. The 2008 team had 1207 strikeouts to  937 by the West champs in ’99.  A few more stats:

                    2008      1999

Homeruns:    194        230
Walks:          595        611
SBs:             81         111
Slugging:     .462       .479

There are a lot of similarities and differences in the teams put on the field this year and ten years ago. I think all aspects of the club will be improved this year, and with a weak division I think there is an outside chance the Rangers can put together a run like they did in 1999.