Ryan Not Ruling Out Rangers Ownership Role

Sale not expected to impact off season plans.

Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan doesn't expect the team owner's effort to sell at least part of the team to have any adverse effect on off season plans.

Ryan says the approach will be the same as past off seasons: The team will determine its needs and work within a budget to address them.

"Our approach will be the same as we have past off seasons," Ryan said. "I feel like the budget will be close, if not the same, as it was last year. ... We'll determine what areas that we need to address if we can to improve the ball club. That will be our approach, as it is each year at this time."

The Rangers (87-75) just finished only their second winning season in 10 years since last making the playoffs.

Financially strapped owner Tom Hicks has been taking bids from prospective buyers, and the timing of any transfer is uncertain.

Ryan said it was hard to predict when the ownership issue might be resolved. "I think Tom's working really hard to reduce some of his debt," Ryan said. "Tom is in the mindset that he would like to get that resolved as soon as possible. But what time frame that will be, I don't know. I think he is of the mindset that when it is resolved, he'll still be in position of ownership here."

Hicks, who did not attend the season-ending news conference, has repeatedly refused to comment on the status of negotiations with prospective buyers.

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Asked by e-mail about Ryan's comments, Hicks replied: "Sounds like he was his normal straight talking self. I don't have anything to add."

Ryan says he could be involved in the future ownership of the team. He also says Hicks has the mindset that he will "still be in a position of ownership" when everything is resolved.

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