I love Nolan Ryan but really?

[Claws]

Ryan expects Rangers to win AL West

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By Richard Durrett

ESPNDallas.com

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BBTN Previews The Texas Rangers

The Baseball Tonight crew looks at the Texas Rangers roster as they head to Spring Training.Tags: Texas Rangers

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BBTN Previews The Texas Rangers

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* BBTN Previews The Texas Rangers

BBTN Previews The Texas Rangers

The Baseball Tonight crew looks at the Texas Rangers roster as they head to Spring Training.Tags: Texas Rangers

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* Rangers GM Daniels: We Expect To Win

Rangers GM Daniels: We Expect To Win

Richard Durrett interviews Rangers general manager Jon Daniels about spring training battles, the condition of Derek Holland, Josh Hamilton and his expectations for 2010

Tags: Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan has high expectations for the 2010 season: 92 wins.

"I just feel like that's a number that this ballclub should be able to reach," Ryan said Wednesday. "It's hard to sit here before we play a spring game and predict, but I feel like we have the depth and talent and we're capable of doing that.

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"Anything can happen. The division could be balanced and you beat up on each other and you might win the division with 87 wins."

Ryan said he would be "disappointed" if the Rangers didn't win the American League West. The club won 87 games last season and finished second in the division, 10 games behind the Los Angeles Angels.

"A lot of people won't agree with me," Ryan said. "They'll say the Angels have more established starting pitching and Seattle has improved and their pitching is good. All those things are true. But I also think that we have a balanced ballclub and I think our club is coming together in a way that I think they are ready to make that move. There are so many factors that come into play, but I don't think we're asking players to perform like they haven't before. The key is to stay healthy."

Ryan is scheduled to travel to Surprise, Ariz., for spring training later this week and plans on attending most of the games leading into the season. He is entering his third season as club president.

He is in the process, with Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg, of finalizing a deal that would make him a part owner of the club and continue in his role as head of baseball operations. The deal in place between Greenberg's group, Rangers Baseball Express, and Hicks Sports Group needs the approval of HSG's 40 lenders and Major League Baseball. It's possible that happens just prior to Opening Day.

[Johnny Rockets]

Really not that far of a stretch. They have a great team and were tearing it up during certain parts of 2009 and I look for them to build on that although their pitching staff is young but very promising. I have always pulled for them in the AL.

Besides, I would follow Nolan Ryan off the side of a mountain so I will go ahead and agree with him although I honestly think the Mariners will continue to build on their progress and take the division this year. That 1-2 of King Felix and Cliff Lee is deadly. Can never count out the Angels either (that was for you Meat). Should be an interesting division this year.

[Matt Foley]

When the smoke clears, the Angels will once again ride off with the West title.

[Kevin Greene]

Mariners have improved dramatically and will win their share as well in the West.

[Tweeder]

When the smoke clears, the Angels will once again ride off with the West title.

I am just waiting for the day that my Rangers start beating the pants off of the Angels again

As for the Rangers winning the West, I have thought they had the talent for quite a while now, but pitching has always been the issue.....The only time the pitching staff was a dependent as last year was the year that Hershiser was over them. After Daniels took over, I thought he was a moron for letting Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young go for Adam Eaton and Phil Nevin, but Daniels has redeemed himself by getting much needed young talent to put them in position they are in now. I just wish the Rangers could somehow go back in time and rethink that Gonzalez trade

[Epistaxis]

They certainly can hit, but that pitching still concerns me.

I think the Rangers hang around, above 500 but eventually the Mariners win it just barely over the Halos, but the Halos still get in the playoffs.

[Johnny Rockets]

They certainly can hit, but that pitching still concerns me.

I think the Rangers hang around, above 500 but eventually the Mariners win it just barely over the Halos, but the Halos still get in the playoffs.

Sounds about right.....

[Claws]

I dont see anyone outside of the Rangers or Angels but I was surprised he actually put a number on it and predicted a Division Crown.

I'd like to Oakland and Billy Ball make a comeback.