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CHICAGO — The phone still rings as often it did in previous seasons as 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-mealing 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."
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