"Spring training doesn't just have its own special feel, it has its own language, too. The Texas Rangers start speaking that tongue today at Surprise Stadium.

We'll be talking about "PIP" (pitchers' infield practice), "side work" (pitchers throwing in the bullpen) and, when exhibition games begin in about 10 days, the "JICS" will come out to play.

Or, more likely, to sit and watch.

"JICS" is what big league managers call those extra players - usually minor leaguers or non-roster guys - who make exhibition road trips "Just In Case."

You know, just in case there's an injury or the game goes extra innings.

Somehow, I never pictured Andruw Jones as a JIC, but that's basically how the Rangers are selling the five-time All-Star, who signed a one-year minor league contract earlier this week.

He's an insurance policy, they say.

Just in case.

To some of us, it might look like the Rangers just muddled their outfield picture. It might even appear that they're suddenly veering away from their long-stated plan to build with their own young players.

But what the Rangers essentially are telling us is that this is simply a way to hedge their bets in case Nelson Cruz suddenly reverts to pre-2008 form and becomes a Triple A-and-a-half player again, instead of the slugging monster he seems to be at this point in his career.

What's scary is that by signing Jones, they just sent that message to Cruz, too.

"[Jones] is a guy with a lot of ability coming off two very off-years by anyone's standard and especially his," general manager Jon Daniels said. "Barring Andruw showing he's back to his late '90s or early 2000 form, we're probably looking at him needing an injury or something in order to make the club."

It's the "or something" that I find intriguing in that statement. If Jones shows flashes of his previous All-Star form this spring, both offensively and defensively, suddenly the Rangers have more options at their disposal, more ammunition to trade for pitching, in other words."