ESPN

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Decisions, decisions, decisions.

The Rangers have quite a few to make as they enter their first offseason in four years without a postseason game.

Will Nelson Cruz be back? How about Joe Nathan? Others, such as catchers A.J. Pierzynski and Geovany Soto, outfielder David Murphy and pitcher Matt Garza will be discussed ad nauseam before the winter meetings in December in Orlando.

Manager Ron Washington touched on the big ones -- Cruz and Nathan -- during his postmortem press conference Tuesday morning, 12 hours after the Rangers lost to the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2 in the American League tiebreaker game. He and general manager Jon Daniels and the rest of the brain trust will sit down at some point and go over all the options.

The big one is Cruz. He was suspended for the final 50 games of the regular season for violation of Major League Baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Cruz has to shoulder a portion of the blame for the Rangers' not making a stronger push for the AL West title, as they gave it up to Oakland in the final month.

The Rangers were disappointed by Cruz's decision-making and suspension, but they also know there's a lack of right-handed power hitters in the major leagues, and the minors too. The Rangers are likely to make Cruz a qualifying offer of about $13.5 million.

Washington, for one, would welcome Cruz back.

“When you think about a Nelson Cruz, who wouldn’t want a Nelson Cruz?" Washington said. "Big heart, great teammate, but there’s a lot of decisions to be made on our part and Nelson’s part. I do believe Jon Daniels will go down that road and see where it works or doesn’t work."

Then there's Nathan. The Rangers have a $9.5 million option on him for 2014, with a $750,000 buyout, a contract that Nathan can void and become a free agent. Nathan, 38, made it clear all season that he expects to pitch for several more years and will seek a multiyear deal.

Nathan blew three saves this season and finished with 43 saves. He may walk the tightrope sometimes, which drives the fan base crazy, but he's reliable and gets the job done.

“I thought Joe Nathan had a tremendous year,” Washington said. “I think at the end of the year, Joe Nathan proved to everyone that doubted him what he was made of, and I certainly would love to continue giving him the ball because he gets outs.”

There will be other decisions. Both Pierzynski and Soto would like to return, but the Rangers may set their sights on free-agent-to-be Brian McCann.

They gave up a lot for Garza, including pitcher C.J. Edwards -- who pitched tremendously for the Cubs in the minors after the trade. Is that reason enough to bring Garza back? Did he show enough despite going through a maddening stretch in August and September?

Whatever happens, this will be a fascinating offseason, one in which Daniels and his staff will have to make their mark.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The days of the Rangers waiting to announce their fifth starter are long gone.

They can't wait for a healthy Alexi Ogando to pitch again Friday.

Ogando averaged 95 mph on his fastball and allowed two hits in seven scoreless innings in his last outing. Unfortunately, the Rangers lost Sunday to Kansas City, 4-0, on walk-off grand slam.

But Ogando's dominance was a positive coming out of a tough loss.

"That's the Ogando we thought we were getting out of spring training," manager Ron Washington said.

Ogando has had three different stints on the disabled list this season for right shoulder inflammation and biceps tendinitis. He has freedom in his right arm, which has brought his velocity back after it dipped to 93 mph. The bite is back with his slider.

"I feel stronger right now," Ogando said. "My arm feels good now."

"We finally nailed down his issue," Washington said. "The issue he was having in his shoulder, we finally nailed it down. We had to put him on the DL two or three times to figure it out, but we finally figured it out."

There's been much debate about Ogando's role as a starter or a reliever. General manager Jon Daniels said the club has not begun making plans for the 2014 season.

The pitcher continues to fall on the starting side of the debate.

"I'm going to work for that," Ogando said.

Soria improving: Reliever Joakim Soria gave up the walk-off grand slam to Kansas City's Justin Maxwell on Sunday, but Washington sees a pitcher getting better in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Soria got two outs with the bases loaded in the 10th inning Sunday, but got himself in a full-count situation with Maxwell and lost the fight.

"As he's moved along, he's starting to execute better," Washington said. "I thought he did a good job yesterday, he just didn't get that third out. Maxwell battled him and got him in a spot where he had to throw a fastball and he didn't miss it. He's competing good. His stuff looks good."

Rios stands by decision: Alex Rios said Monday that if he had to do it again, he would gamble and try to move up from second to third on a fly ball like he did Sunday in the ninth inning.

Rios was thrown out at third on an accurate throw by Royals left fielder Alex Gordon, who leads the AL in outfield assists. Rios said he was testing Gordon's accuracy.

The Rangers have to stay aggressive on the basepaths because of their struggles scoring runs, Rios said.

"Play aggressive but be smart," he added.

Short hops: The Rangers have allowed five walk-off home runs this season, tying a club record set in both 1976 and 2002. It's tied for the most in the majors with Cincinnati, Seattle and the New York Mets. ... Third baseman Adrian Beltre started Monday needing eight hits for 200, two homers for 30 and two RBIs to reach 90 for the season.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Suspended outfielder Nelson Cruz continues to work out in Surprise, Ariz., at instructional leagues as the Rangers desperately miss his bat.

Whether he'll play again for the Rangers -- if they make the playoffs -- has still not been determined, at least publicly. The Rangers have to turn around a seven-game losing streak starting Tuesday night against Tampa Bay, and Cruz has to get game-ready.

“He has been working out in the outfield, hitting and doing baserunning drills,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “I don’t know if he’ll be in every game. We’ve got a lot of guys who need work, but he’ll get at-bats so he can be ready as an option. Then we’ll make a decision.”

The Rangers sure could use Cruz in the lineup. He had a team-best 27 home runs and 76 RBIs when he was suspended for 50 games Aug. 5. He's still second on the team in home runs, one behind Adrian Beltre.

The Rangers have gone seven consecutive games without a long ball.

On the homer drought: The Rangers' homerless streak is their longest in 23-plus years. They went eight games without a long ball from Aug. 10-17, 1990.

The Rangers enter Tuesday night's game going 269 at-bats and 297 plate appearances without a home run; the team's last HR was Alex Rios' solo shot off the Angels' Jason Vargas in the first inning on Sept. 8.

Short hops: The Rangers' rotation in September has a 1-12 record with a 5.99 ERA entering Tuesday's game. It's the second-highest starters' ERA in the major leagues in the month. ... Derek Holland has been charged with two more earned runs after a scoring change was made in the Rangers' game Sept. 7 in Anaheim. J.B. Shuck hit a soft grounder that Holland fielded and threw away down the right-field line for a two-base error. The call was changed by Joe Torre, MLB executive vice president of baseball operations, to a single with an error on Holland to advance Shuck to second base.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- With only two weeks of baseball remaining, the Rangers don’t have time for Jon Daniels to pull any rabbits out of the hat.

“We’ve gotten to the point where there is not much time left,’’ the general manager said following the Rangers’ sixth straight loss. “We’re either going to get it done or we’re not, and we’ve got to count on our guys to do it.’’

PODCAST
Fitzsimmons and Durrett discuss how some people are calling for the Rangers to fire manager Ron Washington. Listen

AL West rival Oakland completed a three-game sweep of the punchless Rangers with a 5-1 win before 42,980 fans Sunday. Texas has lost six in a row and 12 out of its last 15, a collapse that leaves them 6.5 game behind the A’s and in danger of even missing a wild-card playoff berth that looked almost assured in late August.

“I’m not sure what’s going on,’’ manager Ron Washington said in his media conference after the game. “I’ve never experienced it before. Opportunities were there. We put ourselves in position, we just couldn’t get the big hit.’’

Texas was 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, the hit coming from A.J. Pierzynski in the first inning for the only Rangers run in the last 19 innings.

From the Texas viewpoint, this was a series that could have made up for 2012 when the A’s executed a series sweep to pull the AL West rug out from under the Rangers on the final day of the regular season. Instead, with a sweep, Oakland practically assured itself of another AL West flag.

Daniels said Rangers fans should know that the players are continuing to work. “They’re hurting,’’ he said. “They want to get it done.’’

Shortstop Elvis Andrus said it is important to know that going forward, every game is going to be different and that it does no good to dwell on the losing streak.

“We can’t be thinking about things that didn’t go the way we wanted them to,’’ said Andrus, who scored the only Rangers run Sunday.

In the six-loss homestand, four defeats were by one run, another by two runs and the A’s led only 3-1 until ninth-inning homer by Josh Reddick on Sunday.

“It wasn’t like our team was dominated and we didn’t have a chance,’’ Washington said.

A four-game stop in Tampa Bay awaits. Then three at Kansas City. Maybe a road trip is what the Rangers need after losing seven in a row at home.

“It’s a big challenge,’’ said Daniels. “But for some reason, we seem to play better on the road. As bad as we’ve played the last two weeks, we still have a chance with two weeks to go.’’

ARLINGTON, Texas -- All that fretting over what would happen to the Texas Rangers' offense when Nelson Cruz was lost because of his suspension proved to be wasted energy.

The Rangers are averaging a major league-best 6.6 runs per game since Cruz, who was leading the team in home runs and RBIs, was suspended Aug. 5 for being linked to the Biogenesis clinic. Repeat that, best in baseball, by half a run over Arizona.

Pleasant surprise?

"If Nelson was in that lineup, I think the same thing would have happened," manager Ron Washington said. "I really do. Maybe more because he probably would have produced some of those runs. But the way things set up and got going, the game presented that to us and we rose to the occasion."

The Rangers' blueprint for offense has changed. That's well-documented. But it becomes clearer when analyzing the numbers.

They are third in the majors with a .402 on-base percentage (Cruz had a .330 OBP). They are also third in walk rate with 10.2 bases on balls per nine innings.

Cruz has been missed from a power standpoint. The Rangers have hit six home runs in 13 games, tied for the least in the league.

But it hasn't mattered. The Rangers have scored 15 and 16 runs in two of their past three games on just one home run. They had an 11-run inning in Monday's 16-5 victory.

They have 24 stolen bases with the top two hitters in the lineup, Leonys Martin and Elvis Andrus, combining for 15 of them.

"That's how you can become consistent," Washington said. "A.J. Pierzynski says sometimes the home run can stop momentum. So if guys can go up there and put the ball in play and find a hole and go from first to third, that's the kind of baseball we want to play."

Waking up Pierzynski: Twice on Monday night, the Astros intentionally walked Adrian Beltre to get to Pierzynski. Houston paid for it the second time.

Pierzynski ripped a two-run single in the third inning for a 4-1 lead, igniting an 11-run inning. He also had another RBI single in the inning and the Rangers' first home run in 46 innings later in the game.

"All you're doing is waking up a sleeping dog," Washington said. "If you want to walk Beltre, then wake up Pierzynski."

Piezynski has 15 RBIs in August. He has nine hits in 17 at-bats with runners in scoring position. That's producing in the clutch.

Pierzynski had a season-high four hits Monday, the most by a Rangers catcher since Mike Napoli in 2011. It was the first four-hit game by a Ranger since Cruz did it July 13 in Detroit.

No move anticipated: The Rangers will continue to look at the trade market with Houston's Erik Bedard and Washington's Dan Haren among starting pitchers who have cleared waivers, but don't look for a move to be made.

Texas appears ready to go with Travis Blackley and Alexi Ogando when he comes off the disabled list to fill in as the No. 5 starter.

“I am comfortable with what we’ve got, always looking around but I don’t anticipate anything,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. “There are a few guys who have cleared waivers but I’m not optimistic that there’s going to be the right fit between somebody we have interest in that is truly available at a price we think is worth it. So we are fully expecting to go with this group, and I don’t mean that in a negative way -- we like our team.”

Following the plan: Washington said his players executed a handful of plays that weren't called from the dugout Monday night, and he's OK with that.

Washington said he didn't have a hit-and-run on when Andrus ripped a single through the right side of the infield in the first inning. Martin has the green light to run and Andrus was swinging if the pitch was a strike.

"They might have had a plan," Washington said. "It looked like he was certainly trying to hit the hole."

Second baseman Ian Kinsler also bunted on his own with two on in the third inning, getting credit for a sacrifice bunt to move Martin and Andrus to second and third. It gave the Astros a chance to walk Beltre with first base open, and Pierzynski made them pay.

"I don't see anything wrong with those two issues right there," Washington said. "I love the hit-and-run. When I put it on, they don't execute. If they can put and execute it, I'm all good with it. That's the type of baseball I like to play."

Short hops: Beltre is batting .422 since Cruz was suspended Aug. 5. Beltre, who was in the lineup as the DH on Tuesday, is batting .400 for the month. ... Neftali Feliz pitched a scoreless inning for Triple-A Round Rock on Monday night, throwing 17 pitches. Feliz may be in line to throw two innings in his next outing, and Daniels said the target is for him to be ready Sept. 1. ... Daniels also said DH Lance Berkman will return Sept. 1 barring an injury. ... Triple-A Round Rock had 21 hits in a 20-2 victory over Nashville on Monday night. Outfielder Engel Beltre, a likely September call-up for the Rangers, was 4-for-7 with a grand slam and five RBIs. Left fielder Aaron Cunningham hit two homers and also had five RBIs. ... Low A Hickory outfielder Lewis Brinson had a go-ahead two-run home run in the ninth inning Monday for a 5-3 victory for the Crawdads. Brinson, the 29th overall pick in the 2012 MLB Entry Draft, is the first player with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in Hickory franchise history.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers designated hitter Lance Berkman wasn't activated for Friday's series opener against Seattle and his return could be delayed until Sept. 1 when rosters expand.

Berkman and Rangers general manager Jon Daniels were set to meet Friday to discuss his progress and his role with the team going forward.

PODCAST
ESPN Insider and senior MLB analyst Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett for his weekly segment to discuss the Rangers and MLB replay. Listen

Berkman had Thursday off after playing in two rehab games for Double-A Frisco. In all, Berkman, who has been dealing with knee and hip issues, played in four rehab games and was 4-for-11 with a home run.

He ran well, Daniels said Friday. That has been a concern of Berkman's as he has tried to work his way back since going on the 15-day disabled list July 7 with left hip inflammation.

Berkman has played at a high enough level during his rehab assignment that he could help out the Rangers in the final seven weeks of the season, Daniels said.

"The question becomes what role," Daniels said. "Will his legs allow him to play every day at a high level? Is it a different role? How does he feel about that? Those are the things we're working through."

The Rangers could delay the decision until Sept. 1, so they don't have to make any changes to the current roster. Utility man Adam Rosales, who was claimed for a second time in two weeks Monday, is needed more this time after Leury Garcia, the Rangers' utility infielder option in the minor leagues, was traded to the Chicago White Sox in the Alex Rios deal.

"It's something we've talked about," Daniels said of delaying the decision on Berkman until Sept. 1. "But we're not ready to announce anything definite at this point."

Berkman, who has a $11 million contract for this season, has continued to say his biggest concern has been being able to play at a competitive level. This is a player who has 366 career home runs and six seasons with at least 100 RBIs.

"It's about competing at the highest level," Berkman said. "If I can't do that, I don't think I'll be the piece the team needs moving forward."

Berkman said Friday he is open to playing more games on a rehab assignment. But it also sounds as though he feels like four games were enough.

"Had they needed me in the lineup today, I probably could have gone out there," Berkman said.

Replay reaction: The Rangers had a positive reaction to the new proposal for instant replay for the 2014 season, which will include three video challenges for managers.

A 75 percent vote by the owners is needed for approval of the new system and the players' association and umpires have to agree to any changes to the current system.

"All they're trying to do is help the game be played right," manager Ron Washington said. "I just hope I don't waste [the challenges]."

If the changes are approved, Washington said he will have to make sure his first- and third-base coaches are on top of plays in front of them.

"I'm going to go on their reaction," Washington said. "There are going to be some things I can see to let me know if I should go out there."

Daniels also said that he hasn't completely studied the changes, but overall it's a positive.

"Big picture, it's a big step forward for the industry," Daniels said. "Bottom line is just trying to get the calls right."

Feliz improving: Neftali Feliz made it through a bullpen session in good shape Thursday and the plan is for the right-hander to pitch in a game again soon, Daniels said.

Feliz is day-to-day with right triceps inflammation. He last pitched two-thirds of an inning for Triple-A Round Rock on Aug. 8.

Blackley pitches for Round Rock: Left-hander Travis Blackley made his first appearance for the Rangers' organization on Thursday and pitched three shutout innings for Triple-A Round Rock.

Blackley threw 40 pitches and allowed one hit. He could be an option to take the mound for the Rangers on Monday or Tuesday if Alexi Ogando can't make his next start.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers right-hander Alexi Ogano has inflammation in a nerve near his right shoulder and could miss at least one start.

PODCAST
ESPN Insider and senior MLB analyst Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett for his weekly segment to discuss the Rangers and MLB replay. Listen

Ogando's CT scan was sent to Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion Friday. The Rangers hope to get a report back Friday night. The scan was sent to Dr. Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., per Ogando's choice.

Ogando could receive an injection this weekend, which would rule him out for Monday's start against Houston.

"It's headed that way, but he hasn't been ruled out (for the start)," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said.

The Rangers haven't decided who would fill in for Ogando if he can't make Monday's start. Right-hander Ross Wolf, who is currently the long man out of bullpen, could get the call. Triple-A Round Rock pitchers Josh Lindblom and Travis Blackley could also get the start.

Daniels said that there doesn't appear to be any structural damage with Ogando's shoulder. This is the second time since June that Ogando has had shoulder inflammation.

Ogando was on the 15-day disabled list for six weeks from June 6 to July 23. He's 1-2 with a 4.68 ERA for five starts since coming back.

Ogando was also on the DL for three weeks from May 16 to June 5 with right biceps tendinitis.

It leaves the Rangers in a position to decide whether Ogando is a starter or a reliever going forward. Because of the injuries, he's made only 15 starts this season.

"It's something we'll think about more in the offseason," Daniels said. "He was very good as a starter in 2011. He was OK out of the bullpen last year. He wasn't as dominant as we had seen in the past. He's probably been a little more inconsistent this year. I'm not sure it's the role. I know that's the popular theory. I'm not sure we really know that."

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers, looking to add pitching depth, acquired left-hander Travis Blackley from the Houston Astros on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.

PODCAST
Adam Rosales joins Galloway and Company to discuss his experience on waivers and his excitement to be a part of the Rangers. Listen

Blackley, outrighted by the Astros, has been assigned to Triple-A Round Rock. He will not be on the Rangers' 40-man roster.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Tuesday the club would look for protection for its big league pitching staff since starters Matt Harrison and Colby Lewis were lost for the season in the past week.

Team doctors decided Tuesday that Harrison, who had a pair of back surgeries in April and May, needed rest after three rehab starts caused elbow inflammation. Harrison was overcompensating because of the back issue, Daniels said. The 27-year-old Harrison is expected to be ready for spring training in 2014.

Lewis, 34, will have hip surgery next week in New York City. The Rangers are open to re-signing Lewis, who is a free agent at the end of the season.

Blackley, 30, has spent the entire season with the Astros organization. He is 1-1 with a 4.89 ERA for 42 relief appearances for Houston, allowing 10 home runs.

Blackley has eight career wins, four of them against the Rangers. The Australian native has held left-handed batters to a .231 average for his career.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz will spend the next 12 days in the Dominican Republic training at his home gym, the first step to possibly returning to the team when his 50-game Biogenesis suspension is completed.

That would coincide with the Rangers making the postseason. And as far as that goes, the Rangers haven't made a decision yet about whether he'd play. They have to get there first.

PODCAST
Nolan Ryan joins Galloway and Company to discuss the Rangers' hot streak and quick turnaround since their slump in July. Listen

"Our goal right now, as it always is, is to keep our options open," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "We want to do what we can to keep him [in] as good as shape as possible, as good as baseball shape as possible.

"First of all, we have to get there. We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. We’ve got to get there first to have the conversation."

Daniels repeated what he said last week when Cruz was suspended for the rest of the regular season. The All-Star outfielder's conditioning, how the team is playing, how the club is jelling, all of that will factor into the Rangers' decision.

At that point, the Rangers would probably let Cruz play in games in the fall instruction league.

Daniels said Cruz will also work out a few times at the Rangers' complex in Boca Chica while he is home.

"He’s been in touch with our conditioning staff and has his program," Daniels said. "Once he gets back, we’ll have a next step at that point."

Washington on Harrison: The Rangers announced Tuesday that left-handed starter Matt Harrison will not pitch again this season because of issues with his surgically repaired back.

Harrison will rest and get ready for the offseason and spring training. There is no structural damage to his back, so Harrison should return ready to go in 2014.

"It's disappointing for Harrison's sake," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He worked so hard to get back. It just didn't work out. It's just another adverse happening in our 2013 year as the Texas Rangers. We'll figure out a way to move forward and wish Harrison good health."

Rosales hopes to settle in: Utility man Adam Rosales started his second stint with the Rangers on Tuesday after being reclaimed by Texas on Monday.

Since Aug. 2, he has been on the Oakland A's roster twice and now the Rangers twice as the teams have swapped claiming him off waivers. He made a smart move by leaving his car in Dallas. Rosales realizes that until Sept. 1, when rosters expand, he's on standby.

"I didn't have any options yet so teams have to designate me," Rosales said. "That's why we're playing pingpong."

The Rangers have a bigger need for Rosales this time around after Triple-A Round Rock infielder Leury Garcia went to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday to complete the Alex Rios trade.

"With us giving up Leury, we certainly didn't have anything to back up our infield," Washington said. "We wanted him when we claimed him the first time. We were just hoping no one would claim him when we put him back out there."

Berkman's running still issue: Designated hitter Lance Berkman was set to play Tuesday and Wednesday for Double-A Frisco, provided the weather cooperated.

He was 3-for-7 with a home run in two games with Triple-A Round Rock. But running on his ailing left hip and right knee has still been difficult.

"He swung the bat well," Washington said. "He's still having issues with the running. We'll see if it's getting better with two games in Frisco."

Short hops: Right-hander Neftali Feliz is still day-to-day with Triple-A Round Rock due to triceps tendinitis. He's scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday. ... Round Rock catcher Eli Whiteside, a possible call-up when rosters expand in September, was 3-for-4 with his fifth home run Monday. ... Joe Nathan earned his 35th save in Houston on Monday, giving him eight seasons with 35-plus saves. The only other two closers to do that in major league history are Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, who have each done it 12 times.

HOUSTON -- Never underestimate Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and his front-office crew.

Ever.

The past 19 days reminded us yet again. More times than not, Daniels, Thad Levine & Co. get it done, and that's all you can ask of the men in charge of making the big decisions.

The starting rotation needed a boost. Daniels traded for the best pitcher on the market -- sorry, Jake Peavy -- and brought Matt Garza's power arm to Texas.

The lineup needed a right-handed bat -- the Rangers have needed one all season, not just since Nelson Cruz was suspended Monday. But Daniels didn't panic and overpay for a bat before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Even with the offense experiencing a resurgence and running the bases like the 1980s St. Louis Cardinals, Daniels slyly waited until after the deadline, put in a waiver claim on outfielder Alex Rios and waited until the final minutes to find out how badly the White Sox wanted to shed the $12 million remaining on this year's contract and the $13 million for the 2014 season.

Bad enough to take Triple-A Round Rock shortstop Leury Garcia when the original asking price was Jurickson Profar or a package of pitchers Martin Perez and Luke Jackson. A trade that wasn't supposed to happen came down minutes before the White Sox had to decide whether to keep Rios or let him go.

The final tally for a top-of-the-rotation pitcher and a right fielder who can hit for power and steal bases?

Mike Olt, Justin Grimm, C.J. Edwards, possibly Leury Garcia and probably Neil Ramirez.

That's some pretty good wheeling and dealing right there.

Manager Ron Washington, who had hinted for weeks that he'd like another bat, couldn't hide his giddiness over the addition of Rios to go with Garza.

PODCAST
ESPN Dallas' Todd Wills joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to react to the Rangers' trade for Alex Rios and discuss how it impacts the team down the stretch. Listen

"They've done an excellent job," Washington said of the Rangers' front office. "We felt like we needed some pieces. We needed a pitcher; he went and got us a pitcher. Of course we're playing pretty good and we lost Cruz. We certainly discussed around the trade deadline that we would like to have another bat. What he does is goes out and gets us another bat and a player that can play. Not only a bat, but this guy is complete. He can do everything. We just added to the organization."

Daniels talked at a news conference on the day of the non-waiver trade deadline -- when he didn't acquire a bat -- about how shallow the pool was for veteran hitters. He noted that, aside from a backup catcher, an impact hitter didn't move July 31.

All the while keeping a close eye on Rios, scouting him earlier this week and then getting it down to where it was just the Rangers who were able to negotiate a deal with the White Sox.

A master stroke.

"We’ve said it a million times," Daniels said. "Whether it’s the offseason, the trade deadline, August, there really are no deadlines in this game. There are, but you’re trying to get better 365 [days per year].

"It just so happens that last month and here again in August there are opportunities that presented itself. Because of the work [of] everybody in the organization and ownership supporting us, we were able to get it done."

Don't forget the team on the field putting together a 9-1 stretch to get back into first place in the American League West. That alone probably increased Daniels' determination to get a deal done.

"Now it's up to us to finish this off," Washington said. "[Jon] certainly did his part."

Are the Rangers good enough to win the division, the pennant and everything else that's out there?

"We always thought we had as good a shot as anyone in the AL," Washington said. "We just improved our club. We've got to play. I'm not going to sit here and say this put us over the hump. We've got to play."

In 2010, Daniels traded for Cliff Lee and outfoxed the New York Yankees for the best pitcher on the market. It gave Washington the key extra piece that pushed the Rangers to their first World Series appearance.

Daniels struck again Friday. No one should be surprised.

HOUSTON, Texas -- A.J. Pierzynski gave a strong endorsement of Friday's trade for outfielder Alex Rios.

PODCAST
ESPN Dallas' Todd Wills joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to react to the Rangers' trade for Alex Rios and discuss how it impacts the team down the stretch. Listen

Pierzynski, a teammate from 2009-12 with Rios on the Chicago White Sox, said the Rangers are getting one of the most talented players in the American League. Rios has 12 home runs, 26 stolen bases and eight outfield assists this season for Chicago.

"He legitimately is one of those five-tool guys," Pierzynski said. "I've seen Alex at his best and at his worst. When he's right, there's not a lot of people that are better than him."

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels went to Pierzynski weeks ago to ask him about Rios when the Rangers were exploring a deal for the 32-year-old outfielder before the trade deadline. Pierzynski signed off on Rios as a player and as a teammate.

"I told him I would take him in a second," Pierzynski said. "His talent and his track record and as long is Alex is Alex and plays the way he can, then he can help us.

"He's a fun guy to have around. He's very talented. He can help. He can do numerous things either offensively or defensively."

Another former Rios' teammate when they were in Toronto, Jason Frasor, was asked how Rios would fit with the Rangers.

"It's hard not to fit in here," Frasor said. "You're free to be yourself. And there are guys here who police the locker room."

Pierzynski predicted Rios and shortstop Elvis Andrus will become fast friends.

"Him and Elvis dress similar so that will be good," Pierzynski said. "They can talk about fashion. They both wear really tight clothing.

"Alex will fit in perfectly. He's quiet, but once you get to know, he's fun. He's competitive."

There's also the part of Rios going from the last-place White Sox to the first-place Rangers. That can only be a breath of fresh air.

"Hopefully coming here will invigorate and give him a shot of energy and help us win the pennant," Pierzynski said.

HOUSTON -- Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Friday that there are many layers to the addition of Chicago White Sox outfielder Alex Rios.

One layer is the final 47 games of this season. The next is 2014.

PODCAST
ESPN Dallas' Todd Wills joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to react to the Rangers' trade for Alex Rios and discuss how it impacts the team down the stretch. Listen

Rios, acquired by the Rangers on Friday along with $1 million for a player to be named later or cash considerations, provides a veteran right-handed bat who can help ease the pain of the loss of Nelson Cruz, the team's home run and RBI leader, for the regular season.

Rios can help win now by bringing pop with 12 home runs, speed with 26 stolen bases and a strong arm in right field with eight outfield assists.

"I don’t think the void that Nelson left can be filled," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "[Alex] is a solid baseball player, and we just want him to come up here and play his game. He fits in well. He fits in extremely well."

Rios, also signed for $13 million in 2014, gives the Rangers a pair of outfielders to build around next season along with emerging center fielder Leonys Martin. Cruz and left fielder David Murphy are both free agents at the end of the season.

There are many questions about whether the Rangers will bring back Cruz, starting with his suspension for 50 games for the Biogenesis case and whether club truly wants to bring him back. Another is the price that Cruz might command on the free-agent market.

"It certainly adds a layer to it for us," Daniels said. "Not only does he help us this year, but we have guys who are going to be free agents who play corner run producing players, so he certainly fits the bill for us going forward."

Washington and Daniels both repeatedly said Friday on a conference call that Rios is a good fit for the Rangers. White Sox manager Robin Ventura benched him recently for not hustling on the bases, but the Rangers believe their culture will take care of that.

Rios will join a strong former teammate in A.J. Pierzynski, and the Rangers don't have a history of players not playing hard for Washington.

Washington was asked if he's concerned about Rios.

"No, being in this environment," Washington said. "I don't know the reasons behind [what happened in Chicago]. It happens to a lot of players. But that isn't anything that's going to stop us from moving forward or Alex."

The Texas Rangers now will try to make the playoffs without slugger Nelson Cruz.

If that happens, then we'll find out whether Cruz is on the playoff roster.

PODCAST
Nolan Ryan joins Galloway and Company to discuss Nelson Cruz accepting his 50-game suspension for using PEDs. Listen

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Monday on a conference call following the announcement of Cruz's 50-game suspension for his involvement in the Biogenesis case that the club is open-minded to the slugger being on the postseason roster.

That is, if it's acceptable to the 24 players Cruz let down by getting suspended for what he said was an "error in judgment" for violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

"We really want to see how this plays out, most importantly with his teammates," Daniels said. "Not giving specifics, but there have been other scenarios where because of how it was handled, the player was not welcomed back first and foremost with the clubhouse. That’s something we want to see.

"Assuming that there’s not any other information that we’re not yet aware of and if his teammates welcome him back and Nellie handles this well, which I expect he probably will, then we’re open to it."

PODCAST
Fitzsimmons and Durrett react to Nelson Cruz's suspension and discuss the impact his absence will have on the Rangers' lineup, what players need to step up and the team's playoff hopes. Listen

A report by USA Today on Monday said the Rangers were "blindsided by the news" that Cruz had decided not to appeal his suspension, which likely would have enabled him to play the rest of the season while his case went through the arbitration process.

Daniels disputed that Monday. He said he was contacted by Cruz's new agent, Adam Katz, on Sunday night, who informed him his client was accepting the suspension. The Rangers did believe it was a possibility Cruz would appeal his suspension out of loyalty to the ballclub and his teammates, team CEO Nolan Ryan said Monday.

"We knew this was out there," Daniels said. "There’s not a lot we could do about it. I’m not sure had he made up his mind any sooner, it would’ve impacted much anyhow."

The Rangers' plan is to replace Cruz from within the organization. They will call up outfielders Joey Butler and Engel Beltre to give them a right-handed and left-handed bat in a platoon situation. Recently acquired Adam Rosales was designated for assignment.

The club will explore the post-trade deadline market, Daniels said, as it does every season. Deals are more difficult to make due to the pool of players shrinking because of no-trade clauses and the complication of getting players to pass through waivers.

The Rangers did pick up outfielder Jeff Francoeur in a trade in August 2010.

"Obviously, not every club is looking to talk about every player so you're dealing with a much smaller pool of players who are even potentially available so it's more challenging," Daniels said.

Ryan, who also was on the conference call, expressed disappointment in Cruz's involvement with the Biogenesis clinic.

"I pretty much have the same feeling that Jon has that we’re disappointed that he violated the drug policy and that he’s now having to deal with that," Ryan said.

Cruz said in a statement that his error in judgment was a result of losing 40 pounds because of a gastrointestinal infection before the 2012 season. He was treated in the Dominican Republic while playing winter ball, then went to Miami for more treatment.

It was at that point that he became involved in the Biogenesis clinic.

"I should have handled the situation differently, and my illness was no excuse," Cruz said.

"What he said about the weight loss he had and the intestinal virus, or whatever it was he was dealing with, it was my understanding that it actually happened," Ryan said. "He had substantial weight loss, and it was an ongoing issue for him that offseason. To my knowledge, that is a correct statement."

The Rangers have not decided whether Cruz will work out at the team facility during his suspension. If he does, he can be at Rangers Ballpark only until the gates open for that day's game.

"Nelson will just fly back here to Dallas, and we’ll revisit that here in a couple days once the dust settles," Daniels said.

As for bringing him back for the playoffs or bringing him back next year -- Cruz is a free agent after the season -- that remains to be seen, Daniels said.

Cruz made it clear in his statement that he wants to return and looks forward to it. He is a well-liked player in the Rangers' clubhouse, so maybe this isn't it for Cruz and the Rangers.

"I look forward to regaining the trust and respect of the Rangers organization, my teammates, and the great Rangers’ fans, and I am grateful for the opportunity to rejoin the team for the playoffs," Cruz said.

I get it. You wanted a bat. You expected a bat. And when general manager Jon Daniels didn't go and get a bat, you weren't happy about it.

But just because the Rangers didn't get a bat doesn't make the trade deadline a failure. First, this team is better thanks to the acquisition of Matt Garza, who has pitched well in his two Texas starts. I disagree with the notion that Garza had to be the first step and that if the Rangers didn't acquire a bat, it was a pointless deal.

PODCAST
Rangers GM Jon Daniels joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to discuss the Rangers' walk-off wins and the trade deadline. Listen

Garza strengthens this team. His presence in the rotation should, in the long run, take a little pressure off the offense. Do they have to score as many runs for Garza as they would have for Nick Tepesch or Justin Grimm, for instance? But this lack of offensive firepower, those three exciting games against the Angels not withstanding, had Daniels searching far and wide to get a bat with some impact in Arlington. One problem: That impact bat wasn't available at even a moderate price.

Want proof of that? Look at the names that didn't go anywhere. We heard whispers of Alex Rios, Hunter Pence, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and even Michael Young. Which GM swooped in with the right offer to grab one of those bats? Nobody. The Pirates could have used a hitter. They weren't willing to pay the price. The Red Sox certainly could have used Young. The right deal wasn't there.

With way more buyers than sellers, the sellers decided they could hike the price with limited inventory out there. That's fine. But if the inventory doesn't come close to the asking price, you just can't buy it. Daniels had to save his prospects for another time, perhaps this offseason. Imagine if he'd dealt a Luis Sardinas or Luke Jackson, two prospects you may not know, but two that would likely come up in discussions for someone like a Giancarlo Stanton and a David Price. Sure, everyone knows Jurickson Profar. But Profar alone doesn't get you either one of those two players. And if they're made available this offseason -- and you never know, they could be -- the Rangers are in better position than most teams to make a big run at them.

Besides, one bat wasn't going to cure an offense that was struggling and could be without Nelson Cruz, assuming that suspension comes down in the next few days and he doesn't appeal it. So the Rangers did the only thing they could -- they reluctantly stood pat. Come August, maybe there's something out there.

But don't say the Rangers failed at the deadline because they didn't overpay for a bat that wasn't of high impact. Blame part of it on the offseason, if you want. That's at least fair. But with no true impact bat available, cashing in your chips on a mid-level hitter would have been the bigger failure.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Injured designated hitter Lance Berkman's determination to come back and help the Rangers is growing every day, and talk of his retiring has disappeared.

PODCAST
Rangers GM Jon Daniels joins Fitzsimmons and Durrett to discuss the Rangers' walk-off wins and the trade deadline. Listen

Berkman talked with general manager Jon Daniels before Wednesday's game and the decision was made for him to keep trying to get back on the field. Berkman's personal goal is to go on a rehab assignment August 8 or 9.

"I’m convinced I can get back in, and hopefully by getting back out there, I’ll be helpful by the way I’ll be performing," Berkman said. "We’ll see what happens. I’m coming back, but it just has to get to a point where I don’t need a pinch runner every time I’m on base."

Berkman, out since July 7 with inflammation in his left hip, ran 10 60-yard strides Thursday. He ran at 50 percent and said when he tried to bump it up more than that, the injury crept in.

“If I can push myself to endure a little discomfort, I’m willing to do that to help my team win," Berkman said. “It’s not unrealistic to expect discomfort from here on out, I just have to manage it.”