The Rangers have added some impressive pitching to the staff over the winter so far. Not much help in the batting order, yet, but they don’t really need any. Here is a look at the new guys the Rangers have brought in so far this winter:

In the field: The Rangers have dealt for 1B/OF Brandon Snyder and catcher Luis Martinez over the winter. But, I see both of those guys starting the 2012 season in AAA-ball. That being said, they could help them at some point this year.

On the mound: The Rangers signed Joe Nathan to be the new closer, allowing them to move Neftali Feliz to the starting rotation in 2012. They are also trying to finish up a contract for righty starting pitcher Yu Darvish from Japan. Darvish and Feliz will give the Rangers two more very impressive arms for the starting rotation. Righty reliever Greg Reynolds will have a shot to win a job as a long man in the bullpen this spring, but he’s a longshot.

Overall: The Rangers have made more subtle moves than the Angels have so far this winter, but they have improved the team nonetheless.

The Rangers have acquired 26-year old righty starter/reliever Greg Reynolds from the Rockies for 26-year old righty swinging 1B/OF Chad Tracy. Greg Reynolds pitched in 13 games (3 starts) for the Rockies last year and he was 3-0 with a 6.19 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. He has now pitched in 27 games (16 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 5-8 with a 7.47 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. Chad Tracy played in 134 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 136 of 526 (.259 avg, .814 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 26 homers, 109 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Maybe a change of scenery will help Reynolds out.

The Rangers have re-signed 29-year old lefty swinging outfielder Brad Nelson to a minor league deal. Nelson played in 121 games in AAA-ball last year for the Rangers and he was 130 of 463 (.281 avg, .861 OPS) with 83 runs scored, 24 homers, 83 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He last played in the majors back in 2009 with the Brewers. He has played in 28 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 2 for 28 (.071 avg, .304 OPS). The Rangers will likely stash Nelson in AAA-ball in 2012.

The Rangers have acquired 25-year old righty swinging 1B Brandon Snyder from the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations. Snyder played in 6 games for the Orioles last year and he was 3 for 13 (.231 avg, .719 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI. He also played in 114 games in AAA-ball last year in which he was 117 of 448 (.261 avg, .718 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 14 homers, 71 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Snyder played in 16 games in his two years with the Orioles and he was 9 for 33 (.273 avg, .715 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 0 homers and 4 RBIs. The Rangers will give Snyder a chance to win a bench job next spring.