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Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2009.

When you're the Texas Rangers, and you have a grand total of one playoff win in 47 years of existence, there's little place to go but up. Thanks to GM Jon Daniels' dilligent work in the draft and in last year's Mark Teixeira and Eric Gagne deals, that's just the direction in which they're headed.

There are a lot of things to feel good about in Arlington these days, actually. The Rangers had the best offense in the American League last year and could conceivably be better in 2009. The farm system is overflowing with talent and almost certainly one of the five best in the game. There's even optimism about the return of Nolan Ryan as the team's president.

If you're looking for a club that could make a Rays-like rise in the near future, the Rangers might be the best candidate. The question isn't if, but when they make their presence felt, and the answer to that query will determine in part how aggressive Texas is this winter.

On Deck is The FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing matchups

Texas Rangers (29-44) vs. Houston Astros (31-42)-FOX 3:55PM Est.

People of the great state of Texas, I feel your pain. I too know what it's like to have a series between two state rivals that means nothing to anybody else, mean everything to you. The Rangers and the Astros meet again this afternoon as they fight over which Texas team sucks the least. It's not really a prize worth going for, but as baseball fans we all need something to cling to. It's a long season, and if we didn't have such insignificant victories, none of us would make it through. This series is just something to hold you over until the Dillon Panthers prepare to defend their state title this fall. Roy Oswalt starts for the Astros, and at least he's still as awesome as ever. He'll be facing Jamey Wright who is just about the opposite of Oswalt.

And the winner of the Texas Rangers #5 Raffle is........

Jamey Wright!

Congratulations Jamey, now that you've been selected to be the Rangers fifth starter, you've earned the right to pitch three times in April! Until then you're going to get a chance to pitch twice more in an exhibition against San Francisco, and then a trip down memory lane as you pitch for the Rangers minor league affiliate, the Roughriders.

You lucky devil.

The odd thing about this entire decision, as I mentioned previously, is that the best pitcher the Rangers had this spring "lost." Kameron Loe blew batters away all spring with a 0.92 ERA, and will be used in long relief and possibly as a setup man out of the bullpen.

"Kameron Loe deserves to be on this team," [Manager Ron] Washington said. "He out-pitched everyone on this team. This is in no way a negative reflection on him. One through 12, this sets up the best. Kameron's going to be in a position to help us win a lot of games."

Washington is correct, Loe will be in a position to help the Rangers win a lot of games, and it will probably come sooner than expected. He's the first in line to take over a spot in the rotation should any current Rangers starter falter, and the way Brandon McCarthy, Robinson Tejeda, and Wright pitched this spring I'm going to go ahead and say Loe won't be in the pen too long.

Previously at the Fanhouse:

The Rangers Need To Make A Decision

The Rangers are yet to announce who their fifth starter is going to be. The only thing that we know so far is that it's either going to be Kameron Loe (pictured) or Jamey Wright.

If you were to look at the two pitchers numbers so far this spring, the decision would seem obvious. Both Loe and Wright lead the Rangers in innings pitched this spring, but there's about a 5-run difference in their ERA's. Loe has had the best spring of any Rangers hurler with a lovely little 0.92 ERA, while Wright checks in at 5.82.

Loe has earned the spot in the rotation, and he's let it be known he wants it.

"I'll talk about that if it ends up happening, but I'm obviously still hoping to be in the rotation. I think I've done everything I could do. It's out of my hands. This is going to be a big season for me, but the decision is out of my hands."

So what's the hold up? Well, it gets a little complicated for two reasons. One is that if the Rangers don't offer Wright a spot on the roster by Wednesday or offer him his release. The second part of the equation is that the Rangers only plan on using a 5th starter about three times in the month of April.

That means whichever pitcher gets the role of long relief is bound to pitch more innings than the starter. So even if Kameron Loe is sent to the pen, the Rangers would really be saying that they need him more than Wright. It's an odd situation for Loe, but it's probably going to have to be one he learns to live with.

Until May anyway.