Two of the starters slated for the Rangers' 2012 rotation are excited about learning from four-time Cy Young Award winner and future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux at spring training in a few months.

"That's awesome that he's here," Derek Holland said. "That's somebody I looked up to. My favorite team was the Braves growing up and they had [John] Smoltz and [Tom] Glavine and Greg Maddux. It's neat to have him be a part of my future now and to have him and Mike there is a great combination."

Holland, 25, said he hopes the Rangers are going to become the type of rotation that can stay together for a long time. His focus this offseason and spring training is his off-speed stuff.

Matt Harrison, who is from Durham, N.C., and also grew up a Braves fan and played in the Atlanta organization, was pleased to hear that Greg Maddux was joining the Rangers.

"I sure hope I can get him alone sometime and pick his brain," said Harrison, a 26-year-old who came to the Rangers as part of the Mark Teixeira trade with Atlanta in 2007. "I watched that guy growing up and it was amazing what he could do with the baseball. I’d like to ask some questions about what his key was to that control.

"It’s only going to make us a better organization with him coming on board."

Harrison and his wife, Meghan, are expecting the couple's first child, a girl, in less than two weeks.