Preseason
- Pitching coach Mark Connor was replaced by Mike Maddux, who worked with team president Nolan Ryan at his first coaching job with the Houston AA affiliate. Maddux joined the Rangers in November after declining to continue his time with the Milwaukee Brewers.
- Veteran infielder Michael Young moved from shortstop to third base, the third time in his career he had been asked to change positions. Young initially balked at the request after winning a Gold Glove at shortstop in 2008, and asked to be traded rather than move over. He eventually accepted the front office's decision after speaking with team president Nolan Ryan and remained with the team, making the 2009 A.L. All-Star team in his first year at third base.
- 1B/3B Hank Blalock's $6.2 million contract option was exercised by the club in November.
- C Gerald Laird was traded to Detroit for RHP prospects Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo. The move made Jarrod Saltalamacchia the starting catcher and allowed Taylor Teagarden to start the season as his backup.
- INF Omar Vizquel, OF/DH Andruw Jones, and RHP Kris Benson signed minor league contracts during the offseason and earned places on the active roster to begin the season.
- Free agent RHP Ben Sheets signed a 2-year deal with the Rangers but he failed the physical after it was discovered his torn flexor tendon would require surgery, preventing him from joining a team in 2009.
- RHPs Joaquín Benoit and Eric Hurley began the season on the 60-day D.L. following surgery. Neither pitcher would recover in time for the 2009 season.
Read more about this topic: 2009 Texas Rangers Season