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It's not so obvious in the standings, but Ron Washington has done a pretty good job with what he has down in Arlington. The team got off to a horrible 23-42 start to the season, but the Rangers have gone 37-30 ever since. The players like Washington, and the front office likes him, so it's no surprise that the team has exercised their option to keep Washington through 2009.

"Ron is the perfect partner as we grow this thing," Daniels said. "... Having seen how he deals with adversity and how he deals with a tough loss here and there, I feel confident we're going in the right direction."

2009 is also when Rangers general manager Jon Daniels' contract expires. That means Daniels is comfortable enough with Washington, he's willing to put his destiny in his hands.

The Rangers may be playing well lately, but they've still got some work to do if they're going to compete in the AL West. The Angels aren't going anywhere, the Mariners are making a playoff push, and the Athletics will probably get better next season as well.

Still, nobody expected the Mariners to be as good as they have been this season, so maybe adding a key player here or there (Read: GET PITCHING) and the Rangers might be 2008's Seattle.