Perhaps it is simply a matter of semantics. Or perhaps interpretation. But when I talk to C.J. Wilson, I don't hear a frustrated player. I hear a motivated one.

Pitchers and catchers have barely had time to unpack their bags in Arizona, yet apparently a few Wilson quotes about his interest in being a starter this year already have his doubters buzzing like sharks at a chum spill. Wilson, a rapid-fire golden quote machine, is the furthest thing in the Rangers clubhouse from a corporate-speaking cliche robot. He's speaks from the heart, which at times can be dangerous practice for a professional athlete.


"For whatever reason there's a misconception based on what people write about me," Wilson told me. "My teammates understand how I go about my work. My coaches understand how I go about my preparation."

"I just want to be used in the most beneficial way for our team," he added.

The bigger the role, the better.

His interest in becoming a starter stems from a competitive fire that burns year round. It's a fire that seemingly makes waiting to get into games somewhat torturous for a guy who constantly craves to be in the thick of the competition.

When he's away from the game in the offseason, he entertains his brain by taking on hobbies like they're magazines in a waiting room. One of his biggest "hobbies" this offseason was an unorthodox and rigorous conditioning regimen. It included getting into the best shape of his career by training with LSU track and field athletes, including Olympic runner Lolo Jones. His goal was to learn how to run properly so that he could run more, and thus last longer in games.

Rangers management clearly values Wilson's bullpen services. But it is also intrigued enough by the thought of him starting to give him a legitimate look in that capacity this spring. To make the rotation, he's been told that he'll have to be one of two best starting pitchers in camp. If not, he'll be back in the bullpen setting up closer Frankie Francisco.

Some have speculated that Wilson might suddenly transform into a devastated pout factory if his rotation campaign falls short. That theory seems silly to me considering that he went out and had one of the best seasons of his career after failing to secure the closer role he had hoped for in spring training last year. Wilson chuckles at that theory too.

"If I can't perform as a starter, it will be obvious to everyone, including me," he said very matter-of-factly. "If that happens, I'll go back to what I've already done. If that happens, that'll mean that the other people are better, and that means that we're probably going to win. If we win the World Series and I'm the bat boy, I'll be a really good bat boy. And I'll have a World Series ring ... and I'll be happy."