Left Field Looks Bad, But Not Different

Last season, the Rangers were starting the year with the idea that Ryan Rua would be their everyday left fielder. For real.

Now, Rua is likely to contend for playing time, especially early on now that we know Josh Hamilton will begin the season on the disabled list nursing his twice-surgically repaired ailing knee. Sure, there's Justin Ruggiano, who can mash lefties, but other than that it's probably Rua.

So, it looks like the Rangers have an awful hole in left field heading into Cactus League play, and that look probably isn't deceiving. But it's nothing new.

The Rangers had a revolving door in left field a year ago and won the AL West before taking a 2-0 lead on the road against the biggest, baddest team in baseball before choking the ALDS away in Game 5. So while left field is a mess, the Rangers have shown they can win with a platoon of spare parts in left field, and they can do it again.

Sure, the Rangers could go get David Murphy or possibly call up top prospect Nomar Mazara in June, but whatever happens most likely won't be pretty, even when Hamilton returns (if ever). So get used to it folks, and stop freaking out.

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