DANA POINT, Calif. – Even before the off-season's kick-off event, the Major League Baseball general managers' meetings started Monday, the Texas Rangers landed what may be their biggest free-agent pitching addition of the winter.

The Rangers shelled out more than $1 million over two years to steal rising-star-pitching coach Mike Maddux away from Milwaukee. Maddux , 47, will receive more than $500,000 per season for 2009 and 2010 and the club holds an option on him for 2011. Maddux was making $450,000 in Milwaukee and turned down a two-year offer to take on the challenge of remaking the majors' worst pitching staff since the turn of the century.

"This was not an area where we were going to cut corners," said general manager Jon Daniels. "We thought this was a critical hire."

The hiring of Maddux and the re-assignment of interim pitching coach Andy Hawkins to bullpen coach completes the 2009 pitching staff. In addition to Maddux and Hawkins the Rangers added bench coach Jackie Moore and infield instructor Dave Anderson.

The Rangers were so convinced Maddux was the right guy for the job, they hired him without a formal interview. He first spoke with club officials by phone Saturday and accepted the job without a face-to-face meeting.

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Mike Maddux (left), shown with pitcher Dave Bush, led a Milwaukee staff that was ranked second in the NL in ERA.

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"He brings a balance of all the attributes we are looking for," Daniels said. "He had to overcome some injuries as a pitcher, so he understands that aspect. As a coach, he's very quickly developed a tremendous reputation. He's had success with stars, success with guys who have bounced around and success with young pitchers."

I like his personality and like talking to him. I can see that he's got an ability to communicate with a lot of different pitchers. And he's humble – I can't stress how important that is."

Maddux does, however, have a long-term relationship with club president Nolan Ryan. Maddux got his start in coaching at Double-A Round Rock, a Ryan-owned club, in 2000. Maddux worked on Jackie Moore's staff.

"He was open-minded and didn't come in with any preconceived notions about how you were supposed to do things," Ryan said Monday. "And the relationships he developed with young pitchers were very strong. That's important. As we go forward, we are going to depend on our young pitchers."

Maddux, the older brother of future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, becomes the Rangers eighth pitching coach since 2000. Under the first seven, the Rangers pitched like they were intimidated by Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, a "hitters park" where even good pitches can turn into homers. The Rangers 5.14 ERA since 2000 is last in the major leagues.

Maddux said his first job would be to instill a sense of confidence in the pitchers. In Milwaukee, the Brewers went from 13th in the National League in ERA in his first season to second at 3.85 in 2008.

"The challenge is to put everybody on the mound with confidence," Maddux said. "Forget about all the negatives that go along with being in a so-called 'hitters' park. We have to pitch with confidence and conviction.

"I felt like we turned a lot of things around in Milwaukee and that there was still some unfinished business, but the challenge to do it all over again is very interesting."

Age: 47

Experience: Six seasons as Milwaukee's pitching coach

As a player: 39-37 with a 4.05 ERA for nine teams from 1986-2000. Pitched primarily as a reliever, making only 48 starts in 472 appearances.

As a coach: Began his coaching career at Double-A Round Rock in 2000, immediately after retiring as a player. New Rangers bench coach Jackie Moore was the Round Rock manager. Roy Oswalt was on the Round Rock pitching staff. The Express finished second in the Texas League in ERA in 2000 and won the league championship. ... Joined Milwaukee's staff in 2003 when Ned Yost was hired as manager. Brewers ranked 15th of 16 teams in ERA in 2002, but two years later moved up to fourth.

Why the Rangers got him: The lure of working with Nolan Ryan, whom he's known since 2000, was strong. But so was the financial compensation. His contract worth more than $500,000 per year is expected to place him among the three highest salaries for pitching coaches. St. Louis' Dave Duncan, at $750,000, is the highest paid coach in the game.

The runners-up: The Rangers also interviewed veteran pitching coaches Rick Peterson – the recommendation of manager Ron Washington – and Dave Wallace. Andy Hawkins, who finished 2008 as the interim pitching coach, also received an interview. He was named the bullpen coach on Monday.

Did you know? Maddux and brother Greg have combined for 394 career major league wins, but that's not even close to the record. The Niekros – Phil and Joe – have 539 wins. Former Ranger Gaylord Perry and brother Jim, at 529, are second.