21-year old righty swinging Elvis Andrus had a outstanding rookie season and the Rangers hope he builds on it in 2010. Andrus played in 145 games for the Rangers last season and he was 128 for 480 (.267 avg, .702 OPS) with 72 runs scored, 6 homers, 40 RBIs and 33 stolen bases. The Rangers hope that Andrus cuts down on his errors a bit as he had 22 in 145 games at SS last season but part of the reason for that is that he got to balls a lot of SS only dream about as he has great range.

30-year old righty swinging Khalil Greene will likely backup Andrus at SS in 2010. Greene played in 77 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 34 for 170 (.200 avg, .619 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 6 homers and 24 RBIs. The Rangers hope that Greene can get his act back together with the bat as he has a career average of .245 with a .724 OPS. Greene made 7 errors in 30 games at SS last season for the Cardinals but he still showed good range. The Rangers are hoping that a fresh new start with revive Greene’s bat and mitt in 2010.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SS IN 2010: B

The Rangers have signed 32-year old lefty swinging outfielder Endy Chavez to a minor league deal. He will make $1 million bucks in 2010 if he makes the Rangers and they Rangers have a option on the 2011 season worth $1.25 million bucks. Chavez played in 54 games for the Mariners last season and he was 44 for 161 (.273 avg, .669 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 2 homers, 13 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Chavez has now played in 827 games in his major league career and he is 605 for 2,237 (.270 avg, .679 OPS) with 289 runs scored, 19 homers, 190 RBIs and 87 stolen bases. If Chavez is healthy he will make the Rangers because of his defense which is stellar.

The Rangers have signed 26-year old righty reliever Jae Kuk Ryu to a minor league deal. Ryu did not pitch last season in the majors or the minors. He last pitched in the majors in 2008 with the Rays. Ryu has pitched in 28 games (1 start) in his major league career and he is 1-3 with a 7.49 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP. Ryu will start the year in the minors and try to revive his career.

27-year old righty swinging Ian Kinsler is the man for the Rangers as he turned in a 30/30 year for them in 2009. They hope that he can stay healthy enough to repeat those numbers again in 2010. Kinsler played in 144 games for the Rangers last season and he was 143 for 566 (.253 avg, .815 OPS) with 101 runs scored, 31 homers, 86 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. Kinsler is also a decent defensive player despite making 11 errors in 144 games at 2B for the Rangers last season as he showed off really good range there. He is one of the more complete players in all of baseball right now.

30-year old righty swinging Khalil Greene will be the Rangers’ top utility man on the infield in 2010. He is a natural shorstop who didn’t play any 2B last season so he will have to learn it in spring training. He does have pretty good power for a middle infielder so he could be a nice asset for the Rangers if he comes to spring training healthy and focused.

25-year old righty swinging Joaquin Arias is a player the Rangers still like. He can play all over the infield defensively. He played in 2 games at 2B for the Rangers last season and he didn’t make any errors while showing poor range there.

31-year old righty swinging Esteban German played in 6 games at 2B for the Rangers last season and he made 1 error while showing below average range. It’s going to be hard for German to make the team but he gives the Rangers really nice depth at 2B.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2B IN 2010: A