As part of the Texas Rangers' "build-it-yourself" plan, the days when the club would go to the general managers meetings, the kickoff to the off-season, attempting to make over the entire team are gone. The Rangers' new off-season philosophy is to concentrate on making significant improvements only in those areas where significant improvements are available.
The Rangers have used 12 opening-day center fielders in 14 seasons at the stadium, and unless they reunite with free agent Kenny Lofton, which is unlikely, the list will grow to 13 in 2008. The Rangers have started 44 players in center, led by Tom Goodwin with 281 starts, in the last 14 years. No other AL club's predominant starting center fielder started fewer than 374 games. No other club used more than 40 players in center.
While center field is the top priority, the Rangers are also considering first basemen and veteran relievers. Because the market is thin, however, Daniels might wait until later in the winter to address those issues. The Rangers have touched base with the representatives for Mike Lamb and could also look into acquiring Kevin Millar. More likely, the Rangers will go slow at those spots, waiting for the entire market to be determined. Arbitration-eligible players who are not tendered contracts by Dec. 12 become free agents. Seattle's Ben Broussard could be among that group.
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