KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Newest Ranger Jeff Francoeur talked by phone to the Texas media about heading to a new team. Here's some of what he had to say.

On his role: Whatever Wash wants me to do. I have no clue [what my role will be]. I'm looking forward to coming off the bench and hit lefties and play against lefties. I know there's a lot of great outfielders on the team. I talked to Jon Daniels and told him that. If I play just against lefties, I'm willing to do it. I'm coming there to do whatever I can. I'm not coming in there demanding to play every day. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to play on a team in first place. You won't hear a peep from me about playing time. It was a little different in New York when that was going on.

On coming to team in first place: Obviously to come to a team in first place and go to the playoffs is great. I had a great three months of the season and it fell off for me and the team. It's a great opportunity for me to come and help.

On playing in the postseason: I got lucky coming up in 2005. I came up with Atlanta, and it was the 14th or 15th year in the row they made the postseason. I thought that was the norm. The last four years, I haven't been in the playoffs. That's why I'm so excited. I love the opportunity to be on the team. I want to be on a team thats obviously headed to the playoffs. I'm going to pull like hell for us to win. I'm refreshed to go to a team that's in first place. Anytime you get a chance to go to the playoffs, you gotta be excited about it. I've been watching the last couple weeks how many lefties are in the division and the playoffs with Yankees and White Sox.