Chemistry experiment: Does bonding matter?

"One of the qualities of every good team is character, and chemistry is a big part of that. You want to keep it as long as you can."

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon, based in part on his experiences as a player, is skeptical of how vital healthy clubhouse chemistry is in a team's performance.

"When you win," McClendon said, grinning, "you have great chemistry. I played on teams that had players that didn't get along well at all, but they won."

Beltre, Choo and Beimel on Rangers' team chemistry

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre, left fielder Shin-Soo Choo and pitcher Joe Beimel talk about the chemistry developing in camp

First-year Rangers manager Jeff Banister is leaning on his great third baseman, Adrian Beltre, to help build a working environment resulting in positive clubhouse chemistry.

"To be able to walk into a big league clubhouse for the first time as a manager and have a guy like Beltre there, the kind of leader he is, makes a huge difference," Banister said. "He'll take younger guys and shape and mold how they approach the game. That is so important, having a guy like that the young guys can look up to and follow.

"That's their clubhouse. You want them to be comfortable, and you want guys to maintain that chemistry in the clubhouse. That's why it's such a great game. I came from a ballclub [the Pirates] that had great chemistry, right up there with the best in the game."

Indians GM Chris Antonetti takes chemistry into account in the complex process of putting together a roster.

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Chemistry experiment: Does bonding matter?