Rangers hope to find middle ground with Moreland on talks

General manager Jon Daniels will have to find a middle ground with designated hitter Mitch Moreland to keep alive a streak that has seen the Texas Rangers avoid a salary-arbitration hearing since 2000.

Moreland and the Rangers exchanged salary figures Friday and are $600,000 apart on a contract for 2015.

Moreland, who missed most of last season after undergoing reconstructive ankle surgery, is seeking $3.35 million, while the Rangers countered at $2.75 million.

If the sides fail to reach agreement, they will head to a hearing at some point between Feb. 1-21.

The Rangers avoided arbitration earlier Friday by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $3.45 million with rotation newcomer Ross Detwiler, a left-hander acquired in December from Washington.

Closer Neftali Feliz and the Rangers agreed Thursday on a one-year pact at $4,125,000 to also avoid arbitration.

Moreland made $2.65 million last season in his first year as an arbitration-eligible player but lasted only 52 games before a lingering ankle injury required surgery. He batted .246 with two homers in 167 at-bats, and his season highlight was tossing a perfect inning of relief in a blowout loss at Colorado.

Daniels has never had the experience of a player going to an arbitration hearing, a contentious process. First baseman Lee Stevens and the Rangers were unable to find common ground in 2000, and Stevens prevailed at the hearing.

This story was originally published January 16, 2015 at 7:59 PM with the headline "Rangers hope to find middle ground with Moreland on talks."