At this year's winter meetings, we learned ... absolutely nothing

Here's what almost happened for the Texas Rangers at the week-long baseball winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn:

• They almost traded for Arizona's Justin Upton.
• They almost signed free-agent pitcher Zack Greinke.
• They almost traded Michael Young to the Phillies.
• They almost signed Josh Hamilton and almost watched Seattle pry him away (not sure how that works).

Hot Stove season begins: 5 burning Rangers moves I'd make

I watched in envy as the San Francisco Giants captured their second World Series in the last three years with a convincing sweep of the Detroit Tigers a few weeks ago. Even though that moment officially ended the baseball season, another season is in the process of getting ready for action: The hot stove season.

Much of the Rangers success from 2010-present has been due to brilliant offseason moves by general manager Jon Daniels around this time of year. JD seems to thrive in the hot stove spotlight. We've seen it pay off in recent years: signing Yu Darvish and Joe Nathan last offseason; Adrian Beltre before 2011; Vladimir Guerrero and Colby Lewis before 2010.

Following a wild-card flame-out after an otherwise solid 93-69 regular season, it seems like JD will be shuffling the deck quite a bit this postseason with many Rangers players hitting free agency.

Rangers' season ends in catastrophic fashion: What's next?

When I woke up Saturday morning, I couldn't help but stare at the ceiling and ask the baseball Gods a few questions, just to be sure I had everything straight.

Did the Rangers lose to the Orioles in a one-game Wild Card playoff with Yu Darvish on the hill at home against Joe Saunders? Did Texas also squander a four-game lead in the American League West with six games left? Could the Rangers bats only muster one run against Saunders (don't mean to pick on the guy, but come on...)?

Unfortunately, yes, yes and well ... yes.

Texas Rangers' worst nightmare comes true in regular-season finale

I remember a time not too long ago when scoring runs wasn't as difficult as sprinting the opposite way up an escalator in less than 10 seconds (but seriously, if you can do that, mad props). I also remember a time when opposing hitters didn't tee off with frozen ropes and towering blasts on a regular basis.

I remember a time when the Texas Rangers looked like a World Series contender.

That time was two weeks ago, but it feels like two years ago.

We've been spoiled (kind of) as Rangers fans

I've read quite a few online comments from fans lately that the Texas Rangers are far from a great baseball team. The offense is inconsistent. The starting pitching is not elite. The bullpen picks inopportune times to blow up.

These are Rangers fans saying this stuff, too. OK, so perhaps Texas doesn't always have the appearance of a World Series contender.

For the last three years, these fans have been spoiled by a pretty doggone solid baseball team.

Rangers starting to have the feel of playoff-ready force

Adrian Beltre's towering two-run home run that lifted me out my seat in my Kansas City apartment around the midnight hour propelled the Rangers to a mammoth 3-1 victory over the Angels on Thursday in Anaheim.

It was a clean, convincing victory that extended Texas' lead in the AL West to four games over Oakland and 8.5 games ahead of I-still-don't-know-how-they're-not-better Anaheim.