Rangers inquire about Halladay, but OK with pitching

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said the club had interest in former Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay this winter. Halladay announced Monday he was retiring, but the Rangers were interested if he opted to continue pitching.

"We talked to his agent early in the process," Daniels said. "We talked about him in a couple of different roles."

Other than reaching out to Halladay, the Rangers have not spent much time on pitching this winter. They have been rumored to be one of the teams pursuing Rays pitcher David Price, but Daniels suggested that has not been the case. While not commenting on specific players, Daniels said it's unlikely the Rangers will go after a frontline starting pitcher either by trade or free agency this offseason.

"Probably not," Daniels said Monday at the Winter Meetings. "We have checked in and will continue to check in. Where we are and how the team sets up ... I'd love to have some of the guys that are rumored out there, but I'm not sure that make sense for us out there. Pitching has not been our focus. The strength of our system at the upper levels, I'm not sure that that's the area we're really focused on."

The Rangers appear to have a set rotation with Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, Alexi Ogando and Martin Perez. The Rangers are planning to use Ogando as a starter next year, but Daniels said he has to earn his spot in the rotation. He will have competition from Robbie Ross, Nick Tepesch and Colby Lewis.

"When we get to Spring Training, we'll see how everything matches up," Daniels said.

The Rangers are also not looking for a closer. Daniels said he is satisfied with the candidates they already have on the roster: Neftali Feliz, Tanner Scheppers or Joakim Soria.

"It will be more sorted out in Spring Training, but we're not looking for a closer," Daniels said.