As much as the player wants. Or more. Jaramillo's work ethic, quite honestly, is nothing less than astounding. He will never walk away from a batting cage if there is a hitter who wants or needs help. If Golson -- a center fielder acquired from the Phillies for John Mayberry Jr. -- can cut down on the strikeouts and increase his on-base percentage, the Rangers may have a top-of-the-order force for their lineup.

Which Rangers' players are thought of as the most likely to be taken by another team in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft?
-- Aaron R., Dallas

Probably pitcher Pedro Strop, who was signed as a Minor League free agent out of the Rockies organization. He's an infielder turned pitcher who has a good arm, but he had surgery in June for a stress fracture in his right elbow. Others to watch are outfielder Ben Harrison and pitcher Michael Schlact.

What did you imagine for Hank Blalock when he came up with the Rangers, and how different is it from what has happened?
-- Juan S., Albuquerque

Some with the Rangers thought that he would hit for a higher average and show less power than he has, somewhat like Rusty Greer. Instead he became more of a power hitter, and he was doing fine until he started getting clobbered by the injuries.

There seems to be a lot of young talent in the Rangers' outfield these days, with Josh Hamilton, David Murphy, Nelson Cruz, Marlon Byrd and Brandon Boggs. How do they stack up defensively? One of my favorite things last year was watching outfield assists, but I'd like your take.
-- Greg F., Corsicana, Texas

Rangers outfielders were a combined third in the league in putouts per nine innings and eighth in assists, although that really doesn't mean a whole lot. Outfield assists are often a reflection of executing cutoffs and relays as much as pure arm strength. But what you did see was the Rangers increase the overall athleticism of their outfielders. That's been a goal of the organization and a desire of manager Ron Washington.

Isn't it time that Brandon McCarthy steps up and delivers on the promise that merited a swap for John Danks? Aside from the injuries, he surely is capable of being a solid starter for Texas.
-- Rand S., Corsicana, Texas

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Yes and yes. McCarthy, 25, is 10-14 with a 4.56 ERA in 39 career starts. If a guy had that record as a rookie, an organization would be relatively pleased and hopeful. McCarthy has compiled those numbers over four seasons while dealing with a variety of injuries. The Rangers will give him every chance to succeed.

Would the Rangers have any interest in signing Randy Wolf, who did a great job for the Astros down the stretch after being picked up?
-- Darrin K., Red Oak, Texas

Word is that the Astros will do everything they can to re-sign Wolf. It's doubtful that the Rangers will go hard after him, given their relatively lukewarm interest in him in the past.

What do you think of the idea of the Rangers making a deal for Jeremy Bonderman? With his recent injury problems, he could come pretty cheap, and if he's healthy, he's a top-notch pitcher. What do you think the Rangers would have to give up to get him, and is it worth it? I would offer Jarrod Saltalamacchia if the Tigers would take him.
-- Wayne P., Sherman, Texas

Injuries have limited Bonderman to a combined 40 starts over the past two seasons, and he went 14-13 with a 4.80 ERA. He signed for $12.5 million for both 2009 and 2010. Given the Rangers' financial situation, it's unlikely that they would pursue him.

Why in the world is Luis Mendoza on the 40-man roster, and what do they see in him?
-- Clint F., Keller, Texas

Mendoza's best pitch is a power sinker, but he hasn't developed the consistency with his other pitches that he needs to go with it. It's pretty much the same story as Kameron Loe. He's probably best suited for a relief role.

In the last mailbag, you seemed to think that the Rangers will stick with Cruz for at least half a season. Why not do the same with Travis Metcalf? Over the winter, there is sure to be a utility infielder who would fill a backup role.
-- John E., Lewisville, Texas

Cruz's outstanding Triple-A numbers have put him in a position to merit such consideration. Metcalf is not there yet.

Even though Hamilton had a breakthrough year in center field, isn't he better suited for right field, to rest his legs and because of his rocket arm? So could the Rangers' outfield for 2009 have Hamilton in right, Murphy in left and Julio Borbon in center?
-- Mike G., Jacksboro, Texas

Borbon is coming up fast. He was outstanding in a half-season at Double-A Frisco, and he'll probably get more time in the Minors while the Rangers take one more hard look at Cruz. But eventually, Borbon could force Hamilton to a corner spot.

Why don't the Rangers and Red Sox quit stalling and make this trade: Saltalamacchia and Jose Vallejo for Clay Buchholz. Would this trade be good enough to make Boston bite?
-- Mike G., Jacksboro, Texas

The Red Sox have made it clear that they are not interested in trading Buchholz under any circumstances.

Would a Murphy-for-Sean Marshall deal make sense? It seems like Marshall would be a better option than Andy Sonnanstine and Edwin Jackson, because he is left-handed.
-- Drew T., Plano, Texas

Yes it makes some sense. But Sonnanstine and Jackson are more proven as American League pitchers. Marshall is still a little bit of a gamble. In that scenario, I'd rather hold on to Murphy.

How long until we can see Michael Main in the bullpen for the Rangers? I played high school against him in Florida, and he was gassing it at 92. Any word?
-- Stephen M., Scotts Valley, Calif.

No doubt Main's stock really skyrocketed when he blew a few fastballs by you after algebra class. But he has made just 23 starts and pitched just 86 2/3 innings in professional baseball, and none above Class A. His arrival will probably not be until 2011, at the earliest.