Rangers president Nolan Ryan stood in the middle of the Bellagio Hotel, looked around and summed up how he felt about the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas.

"I'm disappointed nothing is happening," Ryan said. "There is a lot of time, money and effort that's gone into these meetings, and it doesn't look like they're very fruitful."

The offseason has been a bit slow, especially with the Rangers. Halfway through the offseason, they have yet to make a major addition to their ballclub. They did trade catcher Gerald Laird to the Detroit Tigers, but it was for two Minor League pitchers. Both Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo are talented, but probably not ready for the Major Leagues.

The Rangers still have plenty of time to do something. They want to add at least one starting pitcher and bullpen depth. They need to keep looking at third base. They will likely talk pitching with the Marlins, who have a high regard for both Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Max Ramirez.

But right now the best way for the Rangers to improve on their 79-83 record in 2008 is for their younger players to take their game to the next level.

"I think most important for us is to continue to give opportunities to our young players," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "If we can improve our ballclub, we will, but we don't want to block our young players."

So what would make 2009 brighter than 2008 if the Rangers are unable to make a big move outside the organization? Here's what needs to happen:

• The Rangers need a big bat in the middle of the order. That needs to be Nelson Cruz. He has crushed Triple-A pitching. He has crushed winter ball pitching. He hit .330 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs in 31 games for the Rangers last year. He needs a breakthrough season.

• First baseman Chris Davis played in 80 games for the Rangers last season and hit .295 with 17 home runs and 55 RBIs. That's a half-season. Multiply by two and you get an idea of what he can do for a full season. But he also struck out 88 times.

	Season in Preview A lot can change by Opening Day, but as 2008 becomes 2009, this is who is projected to take the field for the Rangers:
	2B	Ian Kinsler
	SS	Michael Young
	CF	Josh Hamilton
	RF	Nelson Cruz
	DH	Hank Blalock
	1B	Chris Davis
	LF	David Murphy
	C	Jarrod Saltalamacchia
	3B	Travis Metcalf
	SP	Kevin Millwood
	SP	Vicente Padilla
	SP	Matt Harrison
	SP	Brandon McCarthy
	SP	Scott Feldman
	CL	Frank Francisco
	Schedules: Spring | Regular season Tickets: Spring | Regular season More previews: Select a team Angels Astros Athletics Blue Jays Braves Brewers Cardinals Cubs D-backs Dodgers Giants Indians Mariners Marlins Mets Nationals Orioles Padres Phillies Pirates Rangers RaysRed Sox Reds Rockies Royals Tigers Twins White Sox Yankees

• Third baseman Travis Metcalf has played 80 games for the Rangers over the past two years and hit .249 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs. Will the Rangers take .249 with 22 home runs and 70 RBIs from their third baseman over a full season? Absolutely, as long as his defense is solid.

• Saltalamacchia's time has come. He needs to seize the catcher's job. If not, Taylor Teagarden will be right behind him.

• All-Stars need to continue being All-Stars. That's Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Ian Kinsler. Enough said.

• Former All-Stars need to be All-Stars. Hank Blalock averaged 25 home runs and 95 RBIs in his first four years in the big leagues. Injuries have limited him to a total of 22 home runs and 71 RBIs combined the past two years. The Rangers need 25 and 95 again.

• David Murphy? Marlon Byrd? Stay healthy and keep doing what they've been doing. They are winning parts to a winning team in some capacity. Frank Catalanotto is, too, he's just stuck in a bad situation.

• The Rangers need at least 15 wins from Vicente Padilla and Kevin Millwood. They've done it before.

• Left-handed starter Matt Harrison also spent a half-season with the Rangers. He made 15 starts and won nine games. Can he make 30 starts and win 18 games? He probably needs to lower that 5.49 ERA.

• Brandon McCarthy is 10-14 with a 4.56 ERA in 39 Major League starts. Those numbers are fine for a rookie in his first season. Problem with McCarthy is those 39 starts are spread over four seasons because of injuries. It's time for him to shed all the labels and just pitch, or get out of the way and let Dustin Nippert, Eric Hurley or somebody else take over.

• Scott Feldman deserves first crack at the rotation after being a workhorse in 2008. But he was 6-8 with a 5.18 ERA, although he definitely had some tough luck as far as run support. He could have easily won 10.

• Frank Francisco was terrific for a month as the Rangers' closer. C.J. Wilson had long stretches, too, where he was quite effective, although with some glaring rough spots mixed in. The Rangers need a strong back end of the bullpen, but with the necessary middle support from Joaquin Benoit, Warner Madrigal, Josh Rupe and Kason Gabbard. Especially Benoit.

See?

If all those things fall into place, the Rangers will be just fine in 2009.

Grading on a curve: The Rangers have had a slow offseason, mirroring baseball in general. They have yet to make a major addition to their pitching staff. They have a lot of work to do before going to Spring Training.

Arrivals: RHP Moscoso; RHP Melo.

Departures: RHP Jamey Wright; DH Milton Bradley; RHP Kameron Loe; C Laird; INF Ramon Vazquez.

The Road Ahead: The Rangers will continue to look for starting and relief pitching. Their lack of activity to this point is not from a lack of effort, and you have to believe they'll add at least a few arms before Spring Training.