The Rangers entered the offseason focused primarily on improving the majors' worst pitching staff. But that help is going to have to come internally; club president Nolan Ryan said it is unlikely the team will bid on any big-time free agents. A solid pitching staff would make this team a contender, but the Rangers exited the season at least two starters shy of a full rotation and with a hole in the seventh- and eighth-inning roles in the bullpen.
ARRIVALS: RHP Derrick Turnbow (minor league free agent from Brewers), SS Omar Vizquel (minor league free agent from Giants). DEPARTURES: C Gerald Laird (traded to Tigers), INF Ramon Vazquez (free agent, signed with Pirates), RHP Kameron Loe (signed with Japanese team), OF/DH Milton Bradley (free agent, signed with Cubs).
FREE AGENTS: RHP Jason Jennings, RHP Jamey Wright.
Wright is likely gone. If Jennings returns, it would be on a minor league deal.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: OF Marlon Byrd.
Byrd has emerged as a team leader and might get offered a multiyear deal to keep him past free agency (this is his last year of arbitration).
MEDICAL WATCH:
LHP C.J. Wilson (elbow surgery), 2B Ian Kinsler (sports hernia surgery), LHP Kason Gabbard (elbow surgery), RHP Brandon McCarthy (strained finger ligament) are all expected to be ready without limitation for spring training.
RHP Joaquin Benoit (shoulder surgery in January 2009) will miss at least half of the season.
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (forearm inflammation) was playing well in the Dominican Republic in December.
