Chris Young says Rangers not resting on laurels after 1st title - ESPN

URPRISE, Arizona — The Texas Rangers opened spring training Wednesday still beaming from their surprising run to a World Series title last year — and intent on adding to it.

«In some ways, I think success for us is defined by what we do from here moving forward, not what we have done,» Rangers general manager Chris Young said. «You look out and you see the Kansas City Chiefs and what they were able to do in repeating and even what their comments were after winning in terms of their focus for next year already. And I think it's very similar to what our group is. It's so hard to win a championship, and it's so hard to get back to even the World Series. A lot of things have to go our way.»

The Rangers blitzed through the American League playoffs and beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games for the first World Series win in the franchise's 63-year history. They could return an even stronger team offensively, with a full season of rookie Evan Carter and the expected ascent of outfielder Wyatt Langford, who could make his debut after being drafted with the fourth overall pick last year.

Despite guaranteeing just over $40 million in free agent contracts, in the bottom half of spenders this winter, the Rangers are carrying a payroll in the $220 million range, the highest in team history. When asked whether they could potentially add another player — free agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery was integral to the Rangers' championship run — Young said: «I don't think there are many additions coming at this point, but I've said before we'll keep an open mind.»

Texas' lack of resolution on a long-term local-television deal — their current contract with Diamond Sports, which has declared bankruptcy, is for one year — dovetailed with