I could get into a bit of analysis on the last few seasons Roy Oswalt pitched, and predict how that will translate into the 34-year-old making his 2012 debut in a few weeks wearing a Texas Rangers uniform, but it's more simple than that.
To me, the Rangers signing Oswalt this week told me one thing: It's Yu Darvish's time to take the reigns as the ace of this team.
If it's not in the next few days, fine. Let's target after the All-Star break in July.
I've read a few columns that suggest the Rangers still don't have an ace, and the signing of Oswalt, while productive in adding depth with Neftali Feliz sidelined, doesn't elevate the Rangers any higher up the power rankings.
I agree. Signing Roy Oswalt likely won't win Texas the AL pennant for the third straight year.
Yu Darvish pitching like an ace sure will, though.
The club still could make a move before the trade deadline for an ace like Cole Hamels, Zack Greinke or Jake Peavy, but if the Rangers remain in tact with the current roster, Darvish needs to be counted on to take the hill for Game 1 of the playoffs, should we get in.
I don't want to hear about the 'too soon' chatter. I have 111.7 million reasons why Darvish needs to step up as the ace of the staff this season. We're paying him like one. It's not like he's a young kid, either. Darvish, 25, doesn't appear to shy away from challenges.
When I watched him throw a gem on April 24 at Yankee Stadium - 8.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K - I envisioned him doing the same thing in October. Yu, welcome to the big leagues. It's your time to be an ace.
Oswalt, who went 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA to go along with a 93/33 K/BB ratio in 2011, is more of a No. 3 starter at this phase in his career.
I don't mind the Oswalt signing, reported at one year and $5 million. I actually prefer it to giving up a bunch of talented prospects for a rent-an-ace this season. I know it worked in 2010 with Cliff Lee, but the situation is much different this year. This is a more complete team than the 2010 outfit, which won 90 games in the regular season before making a World Series run. We already have pieces in place to win the AL, so why compromise future talent if you're good enough to win as is?
I know the Rangers' window is as wide open this year as it will ever be, but I don't expect Texas to be able to keep Josh Hamilton (free agent after 2012), Mike Napoli (2012), Nelson Cruz (2013), Michael Young (2013) and Elvis Andrus (2014). Hopefully, they keep the majority of those guys, but at some point, you're going to need talented minor leaguers who are ready to make the jump and produce.
After the All-Star break, I propose the rotation falls in the following order:
1. Darvish
2. Derek Holland
3. Colby Lewis
4. Roy Oswalt
5. Matt Harrison
Feliz moves back to the bullpen, as has been reported, to help form the best relief crew in the game.
The offense, from top to bottom, is as stacked as any lineup in the game.
It's up to the starting pitching to take us to the World Series for the third year in a row. And Darvish is the vital component to key that effort.
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