Projected batting order Doug Glanville, CF Hank Blalock, 3B Alex Rodriguez, SS Rafael Palmeiro, 1B Juan Gonzalez, RF Ruben Sierra, DH Kevin Mench, LF Einar Diaz, C Michael Young, 2B Rotation Chan Ho Park, RHP Ismael Valdes, RHP John Thomson, RHP Joaquin Benoit, RHP Colby Lewis, RHP/Doug Davis, LHP Bench Todd Greene, C Mike Lamb, INF Herbert Perry, INF Carl Everett, OF Rusty Greer, OF Bullpen Ugueth Urbina, RHP (CL) Francisco Cordero, RHP Esteban Yan, RHP Jay Powell, RHP Rudy Seanez, RHP Todd Van Poppel, RHP Aaron Fultz, LHP Complete Rangers roster  ESPN's Take Q: Do the Rangers have enough pitching this year to make the playoffs? I don't think so. Chan Ho Park is still kind of a fragile guy, and while John Thomson has been throwing the ball well, the loss of a guy like Kenny Rogers makes them pretty short on arms in a division that includes strong staffs like those in Oakland and Anaheim. In the end, general manager John Hart just loves to field teams that hit the ball and score runs, something that was also reflected in his teams in Cleveland. -- Tom Candiotti Many owners were burned by Chan Ho Park last season. Clearly this wasn't the same guy who was a top 20 pitcher in Los Angeles. The AL is a new ballgame, and while it's likely he can't be this bad yet again, don't draft him expecting 18 wins and 200 strikeouts. Everyone wants to know where rookie Mark Teixeira fits into the Rangers plans and how well he'll do. Our advice: read the articles last spring on Hank Blaylock. Sure, Teixeira will likely emerge and be a solid player, but Blaylock struggled and was demoted last year. Take Blaylock, now a little wiser and ready, before Teixeira this year. -- Eric Karabell Mark Teixeira, 3B Is considered the consensus top prospect in the game and could find himself in the big leagues at any point this season. Could develop into a star in short time. Batted a combined .318 at Double-A and Triple-A last season.

Manager: Buck Showalter  Home: The Ballpark in Arlington (49,166)  '02 record: 72-90  Team page | Schedule | Offseason moves

Catcher: Einar Diaz Acquired from the Indians in the offseason, he has big shoes to fill as he takes over for Ivan Rodriguez. There's no way Diaz will ever replace Pudge's production both offensively and defensively, but he is considered an above-average defensive catcher. As for offensively, well that's a different story. Diaz batted just .206 last season. First Base: Rafael Palmeiro He sits just 10 home runs shy of 500 for his career and though he doesn't hit for a high average anymore (he's batted .273 each of the past two seasons), he still hits for high power numbers. In fact, he's hit 40 or more home runs in four of the last five years and has driven in 100 or more runs in nine of the last 10 years. Is nearing the point where he should seriously be considered for the Hall of Fame. Second Base: Michael Young Not spectacular but definitely a useful player, especially defensively. Needs to improve his strike-zone judgement (41 walks, 112 strikeouts in 573 at-bats last season), which if he does should increase his on-base percentage (he has a career .303 OBP). Third Base: Hank Blalock Struggled in his first big-league action last season as he batted just .211 with three home runs in 147 at-bats. The Rangers aren't about to give up on him, however, as he's battered minor-league pitching (a .324 career minor-league average). Just 22, he could be a future star. Shortstop: Alex Rodriguez For the second straight year he didn't win the MVP, but judging by his numbers certainly deserved to win the award. Has amazingly played in every game during his two years with the Rangers. Led the majors in home runs (57) and RBI (142) and also won his first-ever Gold Glove last season. Left Field: Kevin Mench Impressed in his rookie season last year after joining the club for good in mid-June. Should get plenty of playing time again this season and projects as a .270-.280 hitter with decent power numbers. If Doug Glanville fails early in the leadoff spot, could find himself at the top of the order. Center Field: Doug Glanville A fantastic defensive player who won the job over Carl Everett this spring. Has been abysmal in recent years offensively (he's had a below .300 on-base percentage in each of the past two seasons), and could prove to be disastrous batting in the leadoff spot. Right Field: Juan Gonzalez Played in just 70 games last year due to an assortment of injuries. If healthy, is a monster at the plate. Buck Showalter and Co. can only hope he stays off the disabled list. While with the Indians in 2001, he hit 35 homers and had 140 RBI while playing 140 games. Designated hitter: Ruben Sierra Returns to Texas after playing last season for Seattle. His production dropped significantly last year (.270-13-60). Does he have anything left? If he falters early, don't expect him to keep getting consistent at-bats. With rookie Mark Teixeira waiting in the wings likely at Triple-A, there will be no room for error with Sierra. No. 1 Starter: Chan Ho Park Was dreadful for much of last year, but did show signs of turning it around in September as he was 3-2 with a 3.54 ERA in the final month of the season. If the Rangers are to have any chance in the AL West, they'll need Park to be effective and injury-free for the entire year. Could that happen? Probably not. No. 2 Starter: Ismael Valdes Began last season with the Rangers before being traded at the deadline to the Mariners. Hasn't posted an ERA under 4.00 since 1999 (3.98) while a member of the Dodgers. Hasn't been above .500 since an 11-10 campaign with L.A. in '98. No. 3 Starter: John Thomson Signed with the Rangers in the offseason after spending last year with the Rockies and Mets. Allowed a high number of home runs (28) in '02, which could be disastrous in the homer-friendly environment of The Ballpark in Arlington. Did make 30 starts last year; only one Rangers starter had 30 or more starts last year (Kenny Rogers had 33, but he's no longer with the club). No. 4 Starter: Joaquin Benoit Had a few good starts last year, but overall was very ineffective. Isn't even assured of being in the rotation as Doug Davis and Colby Lewis are battling for starting spots, as well. Was effective in three starts (2-1, 3.38) against the world champion Angels. Bullpen: Francisco Cordero, Esteban Yan, Jay Powell, Rudy Seanez, Todd Van Poppel, Aaron Fultz Cordero was impressive, especially in the second half when he compiled a 0.71 ERA in 24 appearances. Powell also did well after the All-Star break, compiling a 2.48 ERA in 40 appearances. And the addition of Yan helps in bullpen depth. In all, this unit could develop into a strength for the Rangers. Closer: Ugueth Urbina Recorded 40 saves last year for the Red Sox, but did have six blown saves and also had a 1-6 record. You can be most certain he'll have a short leash under Buck Showalter and will need to prove himself early. If he doesn't, Francisco Cordero or Esteban Yan could get their shot to close games.

-- Matt Szefc, ESPN.com

Record: 72-90 | Finish: 4th in AL West | Results | Statistics: Batting | Pitching Offense (AL rank) Defense (AL rank) 843 runs (5th) Home: 474 runs (2nd) Road: 369 (9th) 882 runs allowed (12th) Home: 483 (13th) Road: 399 (8th) 2002 Stats Leaders   Average: Ivan Rodriguez, .314 Runs: Alex Rodriguez, 125 On-base pct: Alex Rodriguez, .392 Stolen bases: Alex Rodriguez/Frank Catalanotto, 9 Wins: Kenny Rogers, 13 Saves: Hideki Irabu, 16 Home runs: Alex Rodriguez, 57 RBI: Alex Rodriguez, 142 Slugging pct.: Alex Rodriguez, .623 OPS: Alex Rodriguez, 1.015 ERA: Rogers, 3.84 Strikeouts: Chan Ho Park, 121