Starting Rotation: A whole new look.

The only guaranteed carryover from the 2009 starting rotation is Scott Feldman.  He led the Rangers in wins with seventeen.  That being said, Kevin Millwood had a lower earned run average and pitched ten more innings.  Although to make the Ranger’s stronger as a team Millwood was shipped to Baltimore for relievers and some payroll versatility.

Since the Rangers had the ability to spend they went after Rich Harden.  They signed him to a 6.5 million dollar deal for 2010 and have a mutual option for 2011.  Harden won 9 games last year for the cubs with his career high being 11 back in 2004.  Harden accepted a one year deal to prove his health and hopefully win more than 1o games.  Harden’s goal is to prove his worth and to get a multi-year deal down the road.  Harden and Feldman are the only guaranteed rotation spots.

The Ranger’s signed a familiar face in Colby Lewis.  Lewis was drafted by Texas in 1999. He later made it to the big leagues in 2002 and in 2003 posted a 10-9 record.  Lewis’s 2004 season was cut short by injuries and he was claimed off waivers by Detroit.  He bounced around the majors until the end of the 2007 season.  Starting in 2008 Lewis headed over to Japan to play.  He also played there in 2009.  During his time in Japan he recorded a 26-17 record and hopefully he can bring over these kind of number to the Rangers.  Lewis has the best opportunity to break camp in the starting rotation out of the remaining players.

The remaining two spots can go to a group of Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, Brandon McCarthy, and Tommy Hunter.  Derek Holland posted a 8-13 record in his rookie year and he could possibly break camp in the rotation.  Matt Harrison spent the last year as a relief pitcher, and he seems to be a promising pitcher for the Rangers in 2010 and beyond, whether in relief or in the rotation.  Brandon McCarthy posted 7-4 record in 17 starts.  The final option for the starting rotation is Tommy Hunter, Hunter posted a 9-6 record in 2009.  The rotation for 2010 looks promising, the main goal should be for each starting pitcher to win-loss record above .500.