SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Sometimes, the seemingly illogical makes all the sense in the world.
It just takes awhile to get there.
Start here: The Rangers are trying to build a strong starting pitching foundation, because any attempt at rebuilding will fail without one. Their first steps: Having their most prized young pitchers not pitch. In fact, they are doing just about everything except pitching. The Rangers call it their "de-load" program. It is about acclimation, education and, they hope, injury prevention.
At high noon on a random Wednesday in August, with the temperature at 105, the garage doors to the Rangers' spacious and well air-conditioned weight room slowly rise as "Zombie" by the Cranberries blares over the sound system.