Texas Rangers' image is improving

By JEFF WILSON

jwilson@star-telegram.com

CHICAGO — The phone still rings as often it did in previous seasons when other major-league teams approach Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels in the hopes of finding a deal that will make both clubs better.

But the tone of the calls is different now from what Daniels heard in 2007 and 2008.

No longer are all the other teams trying to pluck the Rangers’ best players for a package of prospects. Now, teams are offering their top players in exchange for top minor leaguers.

That change stands as just one indication to Daniels that the Rangers’ image has been overhauled from a team rebuilding into a team built for an extended stay among the league’s best.

And other American League teams, including the two who competed in the league championship series, have changed how they view the Rangers.

“Let’s put it this way: I’m not excited to play those guys,” said Brian Cashman, general manager of the world champion New York Yankees. “They have a great deal of talent, and they can send you reeling as you try to get through their lineup.

“They’re a team that has an opportunity to really make some noise as early as 2010.”

As another round of GM meetings ended meekly Wednesday with plenty of speculation but without a major trade, Daniels is trying to add pieces this off-season that will help the Rangers take the next step by winning a division title — or at the very least not taking a step back.

Next season has been the target of club brass for the Rangers to arrive as contenders, but Daniels stopped short of saying they are already there. Consecutive second-place finishes are nice but not what the Rangers ultimately want to achieve.

“On a very basic level, we’ve been able to change our perception from an all-or-nothing offensive club to a team that is going to be very balanced,” Daniels said. “I think also internally there’s a lot of pride with what’s going on. Rather than piece-mailing it on a year-in year-out basis, there’s a long-term sustainable plan in place.”

The AL West, which had three teams finish above .500, doesn’t figure to be any less competitive going forward.

Los Angeles, which won a third straight West crown and reached the ALCS, runs the risk of losing four key players to free agency. The Angels, though, have never been afraid to spend money on the free-agent market.

Seattle finished a game behind the Rangers and has money to spend to plug some of its holes, especially ones in the rotation behind Felix Hernandez and at third base.

The lone sub-.500 team, Oakland, gave the Rangers fits in 2009 and once again has loaded up with young talent.

Angels GM Tony Reagins has watched the Rangers’ build-from-within approach produce a team that led the division for six weeks and won the season series with the Angels in 2009.

“They’re building from within and play a good brand of baseball,” Reagins said. “We think they’re going to be competitive and put pressure on us for years to come.”

The Rangers’ image with other clubs, though, isn’t everything. They believe they aren’t a finished product and won’t be until they contend for the postseason on a regular basis.

“The bottom line is we had a nice season, but we haven’t won anything,” Daniels said. “There are a lot of examples of clubs who have made big strides, but haven’t been able to make the next step. That next step is our goal.”

Briefly

Omar Vizquel, the Rangers utility infielder in 2009, isn’t likely to return to the Rangers, Daniels said. The Rangers had been interested in bringing back the 11-time Gold Glove winner, who made $1 million last season. Vizquel will turn 43 in 2010.

The propsoed Milton Bradley for Kevin Millwood trade that has been floated media in Chicago is not something the Rangers are interested in pursuing.

The Rangers and the Lone Star International Film Festival are co-hosting the Texas premier of Touching Home at 7 tonight at AMC Palace in Sundance Square. Pitchers pitchers Scott Feldman and Tommy Hunter and Rangers announcer Tom Grieve are scheduled to attend, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The festival and the Rangers have also joined with Sleep Experts to promote the “Share the Warmth” blanket drive to assist families affected by domestic violence. The first 100 fans who donate a new, or gently used blanket at the Lone Star International Film Festival’s headquarters, at the Norris Conference Center, 304 Houston St., will receive two free tickets to any regular screening during the film festival. The first 50 donations will also receive a Texas Rangers baseball cap.

Jeff Wilson, 817-390-7760

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