35-year old righty swinging Vladimir Guerrero had problems staying healthy last season as the Angels still used him some in the outfield last year. That won’t be a problem this year as the Rangers brought him in to be the full time DH in 2010. Guerrero played in 100 games for the Angels last season and he was 113 for 383 (.295 avg, .794 OPS) with 59 runs scored, 15 homers and 50 RBIs. The Rangers hope that using him as a full time DH will keep him healthy and productive in 2010. Guerrero has averaged 91.0 runs scored, 31.2 homers and 101.3 RBIs in the last 13 years and the Rangers would likely be happy with numbers like that out of him. Guerrero has a career batting average of .321 with a .954 OPS in 1,850 games in the majors. I really like this signing for the Rangers and expect Guerrero to have a huge 2010 season for them.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE DH IN 2010: A

33-year old righty swinging Michael Young will be the starting 3B once again in 2010 for the Rangers. He played in 135 games for the Rangers last season and he was 174 for 541 (.322 avg, .892 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 22 homers, 68 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Injuries cut short his 2009 season early but the Rangers have faith that he will play in at least 150 games in 2010. Young only made 9 errors in 134 games at 3B last season but he showed pretty awful range. Look for him to improve defensively in his second year at the position.

30-year old righty swinging Khalil Greene will be Young’s backup in 2010. Greene played in 16 games at 3B for the Cardinals last season and he made 1 error while showing outstanding range. Like Young, Greene is a natural shortstop so he should be able to handle the position.

32-year old righty swinging Esteban German will battle this spring for a backup job on the Rangers. German played in 19 games for the Rangers last season and he was 14 for 46 (.304, .751 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 4 RBIs and 1 stolen base. German also played in 105 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 124 for 389 (.319 avg, .833 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 4 homers, 59 RBIs and 35 stolen bases. German made 4 errors in only 10 games at 3B for the Rangers last season while showing awful range.

25-year old righty swinging Joaquin Arias played in only 3 games for the Rangers last season and he was 0 for 8 (.000 avg, .000 OPS). Arias has now played in 41 games in his major league career and he is 38 for 129 (.295 avg, .748 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 10 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Arias didn’t make an error in his 1 game at 3B for the Rangers. Arias is out of options so if he doesn’t look like he is going to make the 25-man roster look for the Rangers to trade him.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 3B IN 2010: A-

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

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

23-year old lefty swinging Chris Davis will battle 23-year old switch-hitting Justin Smoak for the starting job at 1B this spring. Davis has the clear lead in this competition based on his major league experience. He played in 113 games for the Rangers last season and he was 93 for 391 (.238 avg, .726 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 21 homers and 59 RBIs. His main problem has been his whiffing as he did it 150 times last season. With that in mind I never see him really having too much of a batting average but if the Rangers can accept that he could put up 35-40 homers in 2010. In 100 games at 1B last season Davis only made 3 errors which is pretty good. I think he will be able to handle it defensively even though he is a natural 3B.

Justin Smoak is one of the best prospects the Rangers have. He played in 106 games in Rookie+AA+AAA ball last season and he was 112 for 386 (.290 avg, .853 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 12 homers and 57 RBIs. Smoak does show decent plate discipline as he did walk 75 times last season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 1B IN 2010: C