Rangers Banking on New Ownership and Young Stars

The Texas Rangers can head into Surprise, Arizona with the biggest question they've dealt with for nearly a year already answered.
Tom Hicks has finally sold the majority share of the team after months of negotiations, finally stabilizing the franchise's financial situation. Hicks' monetary issues were so bad in 2009 that Major League Baseball basically took control of the team's financial operations. The club won't have to deal with that anymore.
Even better is the fact that the club was sold to Chuck Greenberg, the Pittsburgh-based businessman that team president Nolan Ryan was on board with. Ryan will remain in his current role with the team and be a minority owner, so the club keeps the front office that many believe is responsible for the club's turnaround in the last two years.
The sale isn't expected to be completely finalized until Opening Day with approval from the other owners, but the players can go into this season knowing management will have the resources to make mid-season moves should they need to.
On the field, the Rangers continue to put their focus on their young pitching, led by Tommy Hunter and Derek Holland. Hunter became a young workhorse for the club en eoute to a 9-6 record. After an up-and-down rookie season, Holland will have to compete for a spot in the rotation with Scott Feldman, Colby Lewis, Matt Harrison and Neftali Feliz. The club traded their most experienced starter in Kevin Milwood but filled that void with Rich Harden.
There haven't been many seasons where there were more questions in the Rangers' lineup than rotation. In an attempt to re-invigorate the offense, the Rangers said goodbye to longtime hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo and brought in former Colorado manager Clint Hurdle. Jaramillo had the longest tenure on the coaching staff, but his free-swinging mentality led to too many solo home runs and not enough hits with men in scoring position.
The Rangers signed former MVP Vladimir Guerrero away from the division rival Angels. The 35-year-old Guerrero went on the disabled list in 2009 but has a career .394 average at Rangers Ballpark.
Guerrero joins the middle of a lineup that has potential. Josh Hamilton surprised everyone in the first half of 2008 en route to a 32 home run season, but has dropped off since his record-breaking performance in the All-Star Home Run Derby that year. He only played in 89 games last year.
Marlon Byrd's departure to the Cubs leaves center field open to Julio Borbon. The year-old burst onto the scene as a rookie with tremendous speed and 19 stolen bases. He must not only prepare for a full major league season but also the spacious center field in Rangers Ballpark after struggling occasionally in left.
Borbon will take over the leadoff spot from Ian Kinsler. The former All-Star began swinging for the fences more last year and hit 31 home runs but will bat fifth in the lineup now.
Micheal Young remains the Rangers best pure hitter, leading the club with a .322 average . Like many of the other players, however, he uncharacteristically struggled with men in scoring position.
It likely won't be until mid-season before these questions are answered. But at least the biggest question for the franchise has been already taken care of.