2009 Season: Thanks to Marlon Byrd's efforts, center field was a position of strength for the Rangers, despite Josh Hamilton's injury-plagued season. The Rangers' center fielders had 117 RBIs in 2009, most in the American League at that position, and they were third in the AL in batting average at .280.
Byrd led the way. He played 105 games in center and in those games, batted .286 with 12 homers and 64 RBIs. Hamilton was out there in 56 games in 2009 and hit .257 with nine homers and 29 RBIs. In an effort to get several guys some playing time, a total of seven players got in a game in center (and had at least one at-bat). That included Julio Borbon (4 games), Craig Gentry (seven), and Brandon Boggs (three).
Obviously, Hamilton's struggles impacted the entire outfield. Had he been healthy, he could have either moved to a corner spot and impacted those positions or played center and allowed Byrd's bat to help in other spots.
2010 Outlook: The Rangers have some decisions to make this offseason. First, Byrd is a free agent. His 2009 season has earned him a multi-year deal, but for how many years and how much? Can the Rangers afford what Byrd might demand on the open market? Can they afford not to?
If Byrd returns, than you may see a similar outfield situation in 2010 that the Rangers had in 2009. But the club does have some depth out there. Borbon will play winter ball and the Rangers' scouts will watch to see how he adapts to center during that time and what kind of progress he makes.
Long term, the Rangers have always wanted to shift Hamilton to a corner spot. They could do that if Byrd returns. If he doesn't, and they aren't sure if Borbon can handle the job, than it may fall to Hamilton.
The Rangers must evaluate this offseason and make some difficult decisions. And whether Byrd comes back could result in a domino effect at that position.
If you were general manager Jon Daniels, what would you do in center next season? What do you do if you can't re-sign Byrd?
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Richard Durrett
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.
Ben Rogers
Ben Rogers joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2009. He is one half of the "GameNight with Ben & Skin" show, heard weekdays from 6p-9p on 103.3 FM ESPN.
