Nolan Ryan says these Rangers are his best team

Texas Rangers president and CEO Nolan Ryan says the team assembling for this spring training is his best.

At a packed news conference Wednesday, the Hall of Fame pitcher spoke of how impressed he is with the team's expensive addition from Japan, right-hander Yu Darvish, then talked of the addiction struggles of outfielder Josh Hamilton and his high expectations for this team.

Ryan based his optimism on the Rangers' talented young starting rotation and the nucleus of good players still in their prime.

The two-time defending AL-champion Rangers signed Darvish to a six-year, $56 million contract after paying his Japanese club $51.7 million just to have the chance to acquire him.