Off-Season Efforts Seem to Favor the Rangers as Most-Improved Team

If the Rangers’ off-season efforts mean anything, Texas may have ballplayers as well as oil wells this season.

Designated hitter Cliff Johnson, along with right-handers Burt Hooton and Dave Rozema, arrived at Arlington Stadium in General Manager Tom Grieve’s shopping cart. Now Manager Doug Rader has a chance to keep some of that red hair, instead of turning it in for gray.

The three purchases marked the maximum number of signings permitted through the re-entry draft. Within a few weeks the Rangers will begin learning whether they landed quality along with quantity.

Even before the calisthenics begin, you have to believe the Rangers did well. They had so many problems last year, finishing last in the American League West with a 69-92 record, that almost any big-league player they acquire can help.

The 34-year-old Johnson batted .304 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs in 359 at-bats last year at Toronto. The reason for his acquisition is obvious: only three AL teams--Milwaukee, Minnesota and Kansas City--hit fewer homers than the Rangers.

Of the pitchers, Rozema owns the better chance to help the club. He went 7-6 with a 3.74 for Detroit last year and can start or relieve. Hooton, battling to overcome arm troubles at Los Angeles, went only 3-6. His 3.44 ERA and his innings-hits ratio (110 innings, 109 hits) indicates he can still get people out.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, none of the three can help with another problem area--team defense. Texas tied for 10th in the AL in this category. The Rangers made 138 errors and turned 138 double plays. Only the Red Sox--who made 15 more errors than double plays--did worse.

Other players who wound up elsewhere as the result of the re-entry draft include outfielder Ruppert Jones (California), right-hander Bruce Kison (Boston), outfielder Sixto Lezcano (Pittsburgh), utilityman Jerry Royster (San Diego), right-hander Vern Ruhle (Cleveland-Maine), right-hander Tim Stoddard (San Diego), right-handed reliever Bruce Sutter (Atlanta), and right-handed starter Ed Whitson (New York Yankees).

The signing of Lezcano reflects a massive effort by the Pirates to rebuild their outfield and their offense. Remember, Pittsburgh finished last in the NL East despite having the top staff ERA in the league. Lezcano batted .277 with 14 homers and 40 RBI with the Phillies last year.

In addition to Lezcano, the Pirates have also acquired George Hendrick and Steve Kemp. A comeback by first baseman Jason Thompson (17 homers, 74 RBI), would provide power also.

A major job in baseball is open, but it is not necessarily an attractive one. The St. Louis Cards, having deposed GM Joe McDonald, need a new man. Whoever takes the post, however, may expect lots of input from club officials Lou Susman and Fred Kuhlmann. Three years ago, the Cards won the World Series with players acquired by manager Whitey Herzog, but his power appears diminished.

San Francisco seems to have improved its biggest problem area of 1984--pitching. The Giants finished last in the NL West, and did it on merit. Their pitching was the worst in the league. Now, they have acquired left-hander Dave LaPoint (12-10, 3.96 ERA) from the Cardinals and righty Jim Gott (7-6, 4.02) from Toronto.

Looking for a reason for the Phils’ fall from contention last year? They failed to use their own ballpark. On artificial turf, the surface they use in the Vet, the Phils went only 56-64. They were 25-17 on the real stuff.