The 2012 Rangers

[ESPNupdate]

The Rangers have a fantastic 1-2 punch in their rotation. They could even get away with their number 3 pitcher (Omar Husain) against average teams. Yet their most potent offensive weapon would be their lead off hitter, in Josh Longo.

Josh had an impressive .396 AVG, with 3 HR and 27 RBI season with the Cardinals last year. Tadd O'Neil struggled at the plate, but earned another Cy Young award in 2011.

Signing Omar Husain was a great move. Omar solidifies first base, with above average defense and an intensity not seen in many players. His bat will also be huge, as he was one of the most consistent players last year for the Indians.

The main two wildcards for the Rangers will be Dan LaPlant and Joe Struffolino. Struff took a year off after testing positive for HGH, but when he was a member of the Yankees in 2010, he played very well. LaPlant led the team in HRs and RBIs after having a break out season in 2011. The Rangers will need his bat in the middle of the order.

Pitching will be this teams strength, but scoring runs could be their downfall. What do you think?

[Buster Olney]

I think they will be okay offensively hits wise with the moved back mound, they're base running is another story but i think they'll get by. I have a lot more questions about there defense, its the slowest in the league probably and if you put omar at first that means u got laplant and struff as your outfielders? or is one of them playing 3rd? I just cant picture a whole lot of leather being flashed or double plays being turned with that crew, hopefully they dont need to.

[BK Broiler]

It's a tough call. I think offensive numbers will go up for just about everyone but it should go up for the teams they play as well. They have a really smart team and a ton of experince so there always going to be tough to beat but they don't have a hitter that will strike fear to any pitcher. Longo would if he went deep more. T.O has struggled. Dan and Struff haven't faced top pitchers as much as they will now, Omar is solid and has always faced tough pitching but he's not winning the whammer either. So they have question marks but so does every team this season. I don't think Longo or Omars offensive games will change much but if the other 3 guys produce ( and I believe they can but it's still a question mark) they could easily be the best team in the league

[joshmuthafkinlongo]

i dont think we will ever be the best team but i think we will give anyone a run for their money.

And then in the playoffs anything can happen...like finishing a game at 9 oclock in the dark or going against a team missing players because of playoff scheduling lol - seewhatididthere

[BK Broiler]

I'll be interested to see what your guys lineup is

[Buster Olney]

its tough to say who will be affected and to what degree by the moved back mound and no elevation. It's possible that top notch pitchers like chris horwedel and T.O could be more affected than longo or gio or maybe even curtin. ive seen pitchers noticeably affected by pitching off flat ground and ive seen pitchers with no affect at all so we'll have to just wait and see.

[BK Broiler]

Will we have a rubber to push off of?

[the commish]

twss, and yes.