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If his team can accomplish two things, Daniels said, then 2008 can be a success no matter what the won-loss column says.

"If we play quality baseball, like we did from June on last year, our brand of baseball, that's No. 1," Daniels said. "Second, for the long-term health of the organization, it's critical that we get some of our young big leaguers over the hump and that we're able to accelerate the development of our most talented young players, so that they become the next wave and they're on the cusp of helping us."

Others around baseball have heaped accolades on the Rangers for turning around their farm system. With so little to brag about, the Rangers' publicity machine has made sure everyone knows that they jumped from 28th to 4th in Baseball America's rankings of minor league systems, the most dramatic jump since the inside baseball publication began those rankings.

But for Daniels, that's not good enough, nor should it be.

"One of the things I really want to get across to these guys, last year was not really a successful year for the organization because we're measured by what we do at the major league level," Daniels said.

"That said, from an organizational building process, there were a lot of good things going on beneath the surface that are starting to get recognized."

What Daniels doesn't want is for his people to become complacent. The job still isn't finished and never will be.

"One year of having a well-regarded farm system doesn't mean spit at the end of the day," he said. "It's about getting those players to the big leagues and having them become winning pieces. That's production.

"What we just did is the first step. Now it has to be non-stop. We have to be relentless in talent acquisition at the minor league level and then take the next step with very successful development. We have to challenge these guys and get them to the big leagues."

But if that's the case, it's better for the Rangers to act quickly and decisively in whatever decision they make. If they are going to trade Byrd, better to move him sooner rather than later so that you don't have a shock to the clubhouse chemistry as happened when David Dellucci was traded on the cusp of the 2006 season. If they aren't going to trade Byrd, then it's important for him to know that he's going to be a part of this club and allow him to continue expanding his leadership abilities. A player in limbo doesn't do anybody any good.