Daniels enters offseason with high ’17 expectations

ARLINGTON — General manager Jon Daniels made it clear what the Rangers’ intentions are in 2017.

“We expect to win,” Daniels said on Tuesday at the club’s post-season press conference.

Daniels does not see a window closing.

“Our job as a baseball leadership team, if we are doing our jobs right — I don’t think the window, there is an open and closed period. Good organizations find a way to win year in and year out. I don’t think after an x number of years, you do about face and change plans.”

So after two straight division titles, the Rangers have to figure out how to make it three in a row. They also need to find a way to advance deeper into the postseason after losing two straight Division Series to the Blue Jays.

There is much work to do with starting pitching being the top priority, followed by center field and first base. All three spots will be impacted by free agency.

The Rangers have five prominent free agents in pitcher Colby Lewis, first baseman Mitch Moreland and outfielders Ian Desmond, Carlos Gomez and Carlos Beltran. They also have options on pitcher Derek Holland and catcher Jonathan Lucroy.

“We’ve got to make some decisions,” Daniels said. “All those free agents, under the right circumstances, we would love to have back. It’s about allocating resources.”

Lucroy will be automatic. Daniels said the Rangers will pick up his $5.25 million option.

The Rangers are undecided about both picking up Holland’s option and re-signing Lewis. Both have made it clear they would like to be back next year, but that is far from a given.

Holland turned 30 on Sunday but is coming off three years of injuries. Lewis remains a medical marvel but is 37. He got off to a great start this season, but missed 2 1/2 months with a strained shoulder muscle and did not pitch well in his September return or the postseason.

Yet the Rangers will need to add starting pitching this winter to go with Cole Hamels, Yu …

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