It will be a priority for the Rangers. Hamilton has four years to go before he can become a free agent. Look for the Rangers to do at least a four-year deal that will eliminate any arbitration problems and possibly an additional 1-2 years to keep him away from free agency.

Hamilton, given his history, would be smart to pay attention to a multiyear deal that insures his family's future but also leaves open the possibility of one lucrative trip to free agency.

I keep hearing about Gerald Laird being the catcher to go this offseason. But if improving the pitching staff is a priority, doesn't it make sense to keep the guy that does the best job of calling a game?
-- Steve H., McAllen, Texas

The Rangers need to trade a catcher in the offseason, and the No. 1 thing to consider is who will bring back the best pitching in return.

What was the Rangers' win-loss record when Milton Bradley was in the starting lineup, as opposed to when he was not in the lineup?
-- Chris S., Hurst, Texas

The Rangers were 55-61 when Bradley was in the lineup and 24-22 when he was not. They were 8-12 in the 20 games in which he started in the outfield.

I am thrilled that Nolan Ryan is going to work with Rangers pitching from the bottom up. How likely will Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla go along with this? For the past couple of years they have been treated with kid gloves.
-- Barb D., Garland, Texas

Let me make this clear: Padilla is considered far and away the hardest worker on the pitching staff. Seriously. He retired that trophy. Millwood wants to win and will be receptive to anything.

Do the Rangers really think they can win with Millwood and Padilla as their 1-2?
-- Jack D., Fort Worth, Texas

The Rangers believe they can win if Millwood, Padilla and a couple other starters can average about 15 wins each. They obviously invested a lot of money in both in the belief they can be 15-game winners. That's the hope. Regardless of ERA, they need a rotation that can average 15 wins across the board.

What do you think about trading Michael Young and Gerald Laird to the Blue Jays for someone like David Purcey, Dustin McGowan, or Shaun Marcum?
-- Justin L., Fort Worth

Have a question about the Rangers? E-mail your query to MLB.com Rangers beat reporter T.R. Sullivan for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

McGowan and Marcum are both coming off severe arm injuries that will keep them from being ready for Opening Day. If A.J. Burnett takes his free agency, then the Blue Jays will be as desperate for starting pitching as the Rangers.

Do you think K.C. would be blown away by Ian Kinsler, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Brandon McCarthy (or maybe Eric Hurley) and one of our Minor League pitchers (not Derek Holland, Neftali Feliz, Michael Main or Blake Beavan) for Zack Greinke?
-- Wes W., Waxahachie, Texas

The Rangers made a serious effort at the Trade Deadline to acquire Greinke and made it be known they would offer a significant package of Minor and Major League players. The Royals still demanded too much. But your offer is way too much.

Who do you think the Rangers will try to get if they are looking for a third baseman?
-- Mickey I., Grand Island, Neb.

Two interesting free agents could be Casey Blake and Joe Crede. Both might be available at reasonable prices, allowing the Rangers to use Chris Davis at first base and possibly Hank Blalock at DH if they don't re-sign Bradley. Both Blake and Crede would help the Rangers defensively and give them a right-handed bat in the middle of the order.

What would it take to get Bronson Arroyo from the Reds, and is he someone the Rangers would consider to bolster their rotation?
-- Matt A., Aledo, Texas

The Reds have some starting pitching to offer -- Homer Bailey anybody? -- but are looking for a right-handed hitter, preferably somebody who could play left field. They could also use some catching.

Next year, will any of the young Rangers who played in the Majors this year be considered rookies next year like David Murphy was this year? I would assume that Davis went over the limit, but how about Taylor Teagarden, Max Ramirez, and any others?
-- Matt S., Austin

Teagarden, Ramirez and Hurley should retain their rookie status for next season. German Duran, Warner Madrigal, Luis Mendoza and Matt Harrison are no longer rookies.

With Jake Peavy wanting a trade out of San Diego, and the Rangers having the young talent to make a deal for him, how interested are the Rangers in trading for Peavy, and what would it take?
-- Greg M., Dallas

He has a no-trade clause and said he will only waive it for a National League club.

What will become of C.J. Wilson? Will he bounce back, or would you package him with some hitters for a proven starter?
-- Craig M., Texarkana, Texas

Right now, Frank Francisco is the leading candidate to be the closer, while Wilson could still be an effective eighth-inning power left-hander. There is some talk about moving him back into the rotation.

Although his effectiveness significantly declined in the second half of the 2008 season, Josh Rupe managed to stay healthy and pitched 89 1/3 innings for the year. Is there any chance that the Rangers will try and convert him into a starter?
-- Aaron R., Dallas

The Rangers have plenty of borderline candidates for the rotation. They also need to make sure they have a strong bullpen. For them to achieve their goals, Rupe needs to emerge as an effective right-handed setup reliever.

How about Laird for Dontrelle Willis? They need a catcher, and I think Willis has too much desire to stay horrible forever. Worth the coin flip?
-- Paul R., Keller Texas

Wow, that's a knee-buckler. You're talking about $22 million over the next two years for a guy who has been in decline for three straight seasons after winning 22 games in 2005. I like the idea of taking a chance on Willis, but only if the Tigers take back some money.

Nelson Cruz had a great year this year, and I heard a while back that he could become a Minor League free agent at the end of the year. So how does that work since he ended this year in the Majors?
-- Stephen. R., Fort Worth

That's no longer in play. He's on the Major League roster and is subject to Major League rules. He has less than two years cumulative Major League experience, so he isn't even eligible for arbitration.

Where do you see Mark Teixeira landing? I know his agent will take him to big money, but my gut tells me its back "home" to Baltimore.
-- Darrin K., Red Oak, Texas

The smart money says the Yankees. My guess is Angels. He really seemed to like it there, and his whole demeanor over the past two months has been a complete turnaround from his final years in Texas.

How about tweaking the ballpark to help Rangers pitchers? Start by growing the infield grass higher to slow down those hard ground balls. And if they're willing to sacrifice a few dollars, take out about six rows of seats around the infield, giving more room to catch foul popups.
-- Carl K., Abilene, Texas

Millwood said it best. He's not pitching against the ballpark. He's pitching against the other pitcher. No matter what the ballpark is like and what the configuration, Rangers pitchers still have to be better than the other guy.