I’m starting this forum as a general “Where to do you see the Rangers in 2013/14?” Just for fun, since lots of posts on forums with specific questions delve into too many other players than the original question was about (See: Mike Olt forum topic).
I tell you what; I'd love to see Olt come up as a DH replacement for Face this year after the ASB. Don't see it happening with the way the FO is handling our prospects (and the way Wash loves Face), but would still love to see it. The whole problem with bringing Olt up is Beltre. If Beltre doesn't put up his amazing UZR from last year, why not move him to 1B/DH or start platooning with Olt next year so Olt can learn the position from one of the best in the game?

Since all these yahoos on here are slavering over Profar, bring him up and move him to 2B (or in 2014). Send Kinsler to a COF spot(probably LF). Yes, I know that potentially gives us a rookie at 3B and 2B in 2013 (or 2014) if Profar and Olt progress like they look to be able to, but it'd be an awesome infield if we move Beltre to 1B. Beltre, Profar, Andrus, Olt? And yes resign Andrus. He's having a great year and is already (or shortly going to be) a superstar shortstop.

This of course is all contingent upon us not resigning Hamilton (which I don't think we should given the prospects we have up and coming). If Gentry is playing well like he is now, give him a shot at being the everyday CF after the ASB. If it works out, great we have a great trade piece if we want to bring up Martin.

Now time for my ridiculous wish for 2014 (I love young talent):

C Napoli/Some FA or traded for catcher
1B Beltre
2B Profar
3B Olt
SS Andrus
LF Kinsler
CF Martin
RF Cruz/some FA or traded for 1B

That looks great to me, but resigning Nap to a long term contract could cost a pretty penny if he rakes after the ASB this year like he did last. If we do sign Nap, then 1B becomes a much more fluid situation. That would give us room to have DH/1B/C held down by Nap, Beltre, some other catcher (Torrealba still?), and a potential off-the-bench player to get him some playing time. I like watching Cruz, but he’s too streaky for me and is abhorrent in RF besides his cannon of an arm, so I could see the FO going a different direction there.

That leaves Gentry, Murphy, Moreland, Snyder, Young, and potentially Torrealba from this year’s team off of the roster. Young ‘s contract expires after 2013, and I don’t want to see the Rangers sign him back unless it’s for a pittance with the expectation that he won’t play but once a week or so (a la Snyder’s current role). Gentry, Murphy, and Moreland can be shipped somewhere if you like or stay, they are good bench players, but are ultimately somewhat replaceable. If they’re playing well, trade them to some team where they would start and get some prospects or pitcher(s) out of it.

That does leave us with a rookie starting at CF, 2B, and 3B in 2013 or 2014. I love the young talent, but that’s a lot of uncertainty with 1/3 of your lineup having either just made the transition or currently making the transition to the Majors. If you bring up Martin after the ASB this year, perfect. Then bring up Olt next season, and Profar halfway through 2013 or to start 2014 if he’s ready. If not, leave Kinsler at 2B until he is ready. As I finish this, I realize a lot of you will just go TL;DR, but oh well. I enjoy pontificating on stuff like this even if no one reads the entire thing.

(I know that I didn't say anything about the pitching staff, but we have a ton of young players there that will presumably be under team control in two years still. I haven't looked at each and every contract for the staff though, so I could be wrong.)

Long winded, but I agree.

Let Hambone walk to the NL. Move Kins to OF. Profar to 2. Resign Elvis.

The only thing I differ in is I would put Olt at 1 for the time being and keep Beltre at 3. When Beltre can't handle it anymore - which will be a while - make the switch. Olt at 1 would be an easier transition to the big leagues for him.

I am appalled at the Elvis-trade love of this website. We have 22-year-old defensive guru with emerging offensive capabilities, and everyone wants to trade him? I believe Elvis will have a Jeter-like impression on this organization after his career is done - maybe not as good, but definitely the face of the organization.

And please, please get rid of MY. (Of course, I'll regret saying this when he goes on a tear later in the season.)

That looks like a .500 team with 0 shot at winning a championship to me.

Lots of people are saying trade Andrus/Olt/Profar and some prospects to get us a good 1B, CF, or TORP. Most good CF's and TORP's you have to give up too much for IMO for not enough of an upgrade over what we already have. David__D I am assuming that your .500 prediction is based on the absence of a big bat like Hamilton's in the lineup. If you can trade Olt or Profar, Moreland, Gentry, and/or Murphy (probably some subset of 2) and some other prospects for a big bat at 1B or DH, fine by me go ahead. But I don't see that happening. Yes, Murphy is a good piece. If Gentry continues to do well this season, I see someone taking a chance on him. Giving up Gentry, Olt, and some other prospect(s) for a big bat in the middle of the lineup is plausible, but who? Cabrera? The Tigers will never release him for that. They wouldn't take all of those names mentioned for Cabrera. CarGo (I know his road splits are terrible blah blah)? Adrian Gonzalez (that'd be a very nice piece)? I don't see the big bats out there to go and get. Open to suggestions though.

@David__D: what would you do differently? Simply dismissing his suggestions and not offering anything constructive is hardly conducive to the discussion.

I realize that's a fair number of rookies/younguns too, but we have lots of promising players pushing their way up. We can either give them a shot when a possibility comes up or trade them for established guys who will, at some point, also create vacancies. Or, we can eliminate the vacancies by re-signing everyone to their current roles, except they'll be older and more expensive. I'm not saying that we shouldn't re-sign anyone, but we can't expect to re-sign everyone.

Given that Hamilton and Napoli will likely make it to free agency, I think the consensus is that Josh will cost a ton, and Napoli's cost is undetermined but will probably be much less than Josh's, and he will provide a lot of value even if not as much. Napoli seems to have a good rapport with our pitchers and his defense and offense are both good enough to make him one of the better catchers in the game. If the Rangers re-sign him I will probably be happy. I suppose I could be happy if they re-signed Josh, but I probably wouldn't be because it would likely cost too much.

So what would you do, David__D?