Elvis Andrus has completed five full seasons as the Texas shortstop, making the A.L. All-Star team twice and averaging 170 hits per year.
Following the trade this winter of Ian Kinsler to the Detroit Tigers, shortstop Elvis Andrus remains as one of the last holdovers from the Rangers’ consecutive World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011.
Andrus is joined by first baseman Mitch Moreland as the only position players left from those teams, although Moreland did not see regular playing time until after Justin Smoak was dealt at the 2010 trade deadline.
As the longest-tenured Texas starter, Andrus knows he’ll be expected to step into a more veteran role for the upcoming season, which is an opportunity he welcomes and says will not affect his normal preparation routine.
“I don’t think that I’m going to put pressure on myself,” he said. “There’s a lot of different ways to be a leader on the team … For me, it’s going to be more from the standpoint to keep being myself. Every year is a little bit more of a challenge, but I like it. As a player, that’s what you want.”
Acquired in the 2007 deal with Atlanta that also brought Neftali Feliz and Matt Harrison to Texas, Andrus made his major-league debut two years later and has been a stalwart of the Rangers lineup ever since.
In his five seasons with Texas, the 25-year-old Andrus has never played fewer in than 145 games or collected less than 15 doubles, setting career highs last season with 42 stolen bases and 67 runs batted in.
Now, after signing an eight-year contract worth $120 million last spring and entering his physical prime, Andrus is ready to seize the leadership reins held in recent seasons by Ian Kinsler, Mike Napoli and Michael Young.
“I think that being a leader is something that I’ll always want to be,” he said. “I’ll keep working on it. It [isn’t] that easy to become a leader on your team, but I’m willing to do anything.”
Texas Takes a Chance on Hanson
Looking to add rotation depth without making huge salary commitments, the Rangers have agreed to a deal in principle with right-hander Tommy Hanson, who could enter camp as the favorite for the club’s fifth starting spot.
Hanson, 27, spent last season with the Los Angeles Angels after beginning his career in the Braves system. He was considered one of Atlanta’s top prospects a few years ago, but a sparkling 2.89 ERA his rookie season has steadily crept up in each ensuing campaign.
As a member of the Angels in 2013, Hanson managed to make just 13 starts and produced a record of 4-3 with a bloated 5.42 earned run average as a first-time American Leaguer.
The contract with Hanson is expected to be made official once he passes a physical (as is a corresponding roster move by Texas).
Stadium Rechristened ‘Globe Life Park’
The Rangers’ home field has undergone a corporate-sponsored name change for the second time in the past decade, with Globe Life Park in Arlington getting introduced as the new title last Wednesday.
After being known simply as The Ballpark in Arlington for the first 11 years of its existence, the stadium was renamed Ameriquest Field during a short-lived partnership (2004-07) with the now-defunct mortgage company.
Globe Life Insurance, a life and health coverage provider based out of Oklahoma City, Okla., is reported to have signed a 10-year, $50 million contract for the new naming rights.
“This is another long-term sustainable cash flow that will enable us to be competitive in the long term,” Texas co-owner Ray Davis said. “Your turnstile revenue is variable depending on how your team is doing on the field. But when you have the long-term sustainable income over 10 years, you’re able to make better decisions.”
Roe Picked Up by Marlins
A busy offseason continued this week for right-hander Chaz Roe, who was signed by the Miami Marlins after being designated for assignment and granted free agency by the Rangers.
Roe had been acquired by Texas in November on a waiver claim from Arizona, but he was DFA’d late last month in order to make room for lefty Pedro Figueroa when the latter was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay.
The 27-year-old Roe made his big-league debut with the Diamondbacks last season, tossing 22 and one-third innings across 21 appearances out of the Arizona bullpen.
Nate's Notes 
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