Despite Offseason Criticism, Jon Daniels Building Texas Rangers the Right Way

It's no secret the Texas Rangers took a minor public relations hit this past offseason amidst a winter of inactivity that saw exactly zero big-money free agents sign on the dotted line to play in Arlington.

Media and fans questioned Rangers general manager Jon Daniels for standing pat. After three straight postseason berths - two of which culminated in World Series appearances - fans took a glance at the Rangers' financial flexibility and wanted to reel in a big fish to take the next step and win it all. The mind of the modern-day fan is programmed to think like a Twitter news feed. Give me that instant news, and give me it now.

The Yu Darvish Perfect Game That Wasn't

I was fairly certain that I was going to witness history in the making on Tuesday night, when Rangers ace Yu Darvish took the mound at Houston for his first start of the season. Darvish overmatched everyone in the Astros' anemic lineup, making it appear like he was pitching to a group of little leaguers. This was plain ridiculous, and I was loving every minute of it.

Darvish took a perfect game into the ninth inning, and it was pacing time. This occurs when I'm too riled up to sit down and must remain standing, often times pacing around my apartment in serious fashion as if I'm a college basketball coach during March Madness. I wasn't expecting to pace during the second game of the season. It's so early. But history was in the balance.

Reaction to Rangers Signing Elvis Andrus to 8-Year Extension

I'll be the first to admit Elvis Andrus has been my favorite baseball player for the past three or four years. Therefore, when the news broke early Monday morning that Texas and Andrus agreed to an eight-year contract extension worth $120 million, I was ecstatic. The extension was in addition to the two years that he has left on his current deal, which means Elvis will likely remain in Arlington for the next decade.

Music to my ears.

Rangers Opening Day Couldn't Have Come at a Better Time

Plano, Texas - I knew it was time for baseball season around 9:25 p.m. on Friday night when I touched down in Dallas and checked my phone in a panic for March Madness updates.

Kansas, my alma mater, was facing Michigan in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. I was unable to watch it because I booked a flight weeks ago from Kansas City to Dallas to visit my parents and my brother Dave for my late birthday celebration. I was in the air when the nail-biter of a game ended in heartbreaking fashion: KU had a five-point lead with 21 seconds left in regulation and couldn't hold it, eventually falling, 87-85, in overtime.

Don't ask fans about Rangers standing pat in offseason

I'm not sure I fully understand why the Rangers' offseason is being widely deemed as a failure due to their lack of activity on the trade and free agent markets. Perhaps if Texas stumbles to a third- or fourth-place finish in 2013, the doubters will have the final laugh, but I'm not ready to entertain that thought.

It's amusing to take note of how fans perceive offseason success. In hold-'em poker terms, Texas general manager Jon Daniels has called "check" for the last two months, while other teams have either went all-in (Angels, Dodgers) or bet heavily (Braves, Blue Jays).

When it comes to fan perception, nothing is worse than calling "check" in the offseason. Calling "check" is like saying you don't care.

The way I see it? Sure, this offseason for Texas has been watching-paint-dry boring. But it hasn't been a failure.

Josh Hamilton made it personal for Rangers fans by choosing Angels

The idea of Josh Hamilton's time in Texas being over didn't seem so difficult to digest when I thought about it a few months ago.

Ever since that lackadaisical dropped fly ball in the final game of the regular season, I stared into a future of Rangers baseball that didn't involve one of the best all-around players in franchise history. If it was time to part ways, and Hamilton wanted to pick another team in free agency, I was prepared to fondly reflect on the memories and bid him farewell and good luck in the future.

That didn't exactly happen. Unfortunately, he made it personal.