We are holding on to Elvis Andrus as if we truly believe we will sign him when he’s done season after next. The only thing I would look forward to in that scenario would be Nolan Ryan locked in a room with Scott Boras. Oh to be a fly on that wall.

Checking the winter baseball numbers for the good guys, nobody is exactly setting the Latin world on fire. In fact, two of our CF candidates are not giving us hope in taking Hamilton’s place. Leonys Martin (.253/.327/.384 with 29 K’s in 146 AB) and Engel Beltre (.250/.329/398 with 30 Ks in 128 AB) will be in Surprise this year. Granted Beltre is a longer shot than Martin, it really appears to be Craig Gentry’s position to lose. Nothing awe inspiring on the offensive side of things. Mike Olt has been a little better but Juricskson Profar was shelved with an injury. Not that we put a lot of stock in winter ball, it is disconcerting nonetheless.

Based on all of the reports I have read, everyone is asking a fortune for whoever it is we are after. The names that are most intriguing are of course Stanton (Miami) and Gonzales (Colorado). As a fan, would I be cool with losing Profar or Andrus for either of those guys? Yes on Stanton and no on Gonzales. By the time any deal is done though, it’s putting a lot of eggs in one basket. We need more like three baskets right now. A power hitting outfielder, a starting pitcher and some more bullpen help.

We’re on the clock. Pitchers and catchers report in just a little over the month.

Obviously job one will be pitching. Here are the names already on the board for next season.

Starting Pitchers

Yu Darvish will be at number one. There are very few who thought by the end of the year that Darvish wasn’t a certified number one starter. Besides the wicked stuff, his make-up in the biggest of games was that of a winner.

Matt Harrison- He a pitcher not a thrower. Not the best stuff on the staff but more Maddux like in his make-up.  Very smart on the hill.

Alexi Ogando- Officials say he is headed back to the rotation. He did very well in 2011, but ran out of gas. Not after being back in the pen for 2012, we have to worry this might happen again in 2013.

That’s where it starts and ends for now. We have Colby Lewis back mid-season-ish. From the farm, Robbie Ross could be a dark horse. Martin Perez and Justin Grimm had their moments, but didn’t appear to be ready for prime time.

Looking outside the organization, there is the much coveted Zack Grienke.  We have apparently set some money aside, but being in demand like Grienke is, I just don’t believe that we will leave our comfort zone in a bidding war. That said, expect us to be in big on Zack. Other teams being speculated as players will be the Angels and Dodgers. Signing him would certainly change the complexion of our rotation.  We all know his name is on the big board.

While free agency doesn’t offer good choices, there are some names that have been thrown around via trade.  From the Rays, David Price and James Shields have both been mentioned numerous times. That pesky Cliff Lee rumor is still out there too. If we were to even consider that, you would have to think that the deal would have to include the Phillies covering a significant portion of his overly back-loaded contract. To get them to consider that would cost us more young talent. Almost certainly the cost on any of those names would be Elvis Andrus and others.  I would love to get it done with Mitch Moreland, Ian Kinsler and Martin Perez. Mike Olt’s name will be thrown around this hot stove season, especially since Adrian Beltre is the team’s clear cut MVP.

On Thursday, we’ll move on to the bullpen.

Can Snoop Stay in the Rotation for a Full Season?
(photo credit: Dallas Morning News)