We're probably as well equipped to replace Elvis as anyone on the team (aside from Kinsler at 2B...or 1B?...or RF?), so I don't see the FO overpaying him via extension anytime soon. That likely means he's headed for FA, unless he's dead-set on staying here and takes a possible discount to get a deal done quickly.

Weaver didn't screw the Angels.

Baloney--i hate that "we gotta trade Elvis cause the great satan will carry him to free agency and we are not gonna pay 18 million a year"

If we are afraid of Boris and we are never gonna pay a star player the going rate---we might as well punt.
And find something better to do with our spare time than watch grown men play a boys game.

This franchise has waited 40 years for an all star short stop and hes not even near his prime.
Elvis Andrus is heart and soul.

Who's always on the top step of the dugout--arms raised high--smilling ear to ear--high fiving his teammates.

How often do athletes combine outrageous talent with such passion and love of their sport?
Who was the most improved hitter on the team last year?

Right now we need to sit Elvis down and tell me we want to build around him.
We should extend him 6 yrs and $100 million--now.

The past 3 season have proven the age old wisdom---pitching and defense will always stop big bats.

Knowing Boras, it will have to be over Reyes' contract (6 years 106 mil). Thats just to get the discussion STARTED. Understand Boras WANTS him to go to FA. So unless you go over market value, or unless EA tells boras this is where i want to be - get it done, you have no shot at extending before the start of the 2014 season at the earliest. Boras knows the price only goes up over time. So theres no point signing early.

@Terry C: I think the most improved hitter on the team was Murphy, but I get your point nonetheless. Yes, pitching and defense are of utmost importance right now.

Also, I think A-Rod was worthy of the designation "all-star shortstop", even if he considered himself a man among boys when he was here (or so I heard).

The Rangers have dealt with Boras. They gave Beltre, one of his clients, almost $100m. They are certainly not "afraid" of him. That's just silly. If there's a deal to be done, they'll do it.

I'd like to see Elvis and Profar play alongside each other, for at least a year. I can see good mentoring possible there. But if they decide to trade him, they'll get something good.

I think the Rangers could extend Elvis if they acted now.

I would love to see him and Jurickson playing alongside each other for the next decade.
There may be about 4 players worth trading one of them for--King Felix,David Price,Giancarlo Stanton or Carlos Gonzalez.
And that ain't likely to happen.

And why don't we sign Rafael Soriano. He stepped in for Mariano Rivera and pitched the Yankees into the playoffs.
If you can close in New York--thats legit.
Joe Nathan has 1 year left on his contract. And he's either on --or he's not. And you can tell after about 6 pitches.

And don't overlook the signing of Joakim Soria---if he returns to form--he is special.

It's all about pitching and defense.

The Rangers probably did try to re-sign Elvis -- last year. When it became apparent his demands were too steep (7 years @ $17M AAV, I believe), they chose to give about half that to Kinsler.

With Jurickson Profar making cheap bucks over the next three years, I think the writing is on the wall for Elvis's time in Texas. He should already have been traded by now, but since he isn't, we might as well get good production out of him. Then if we're out of contention by the deadline, we flip him to someone who needs him.

This is something of a regurgitation of a previous post so thanks for your indulgence.

Last I checked, the winner of the off season bidding wars is far from guaranteed a playoff berth next October. In the words of Forrest Gump..."Lahf is lahk a bawx o' chok-lits..." The fans in Oakland, Baltimore (and St. Louis) will certainly agree.

Eventually, with the minor league organization the Rangers are purported to have, there comes a time when you have to see which kids you need to keep and which ones can be used as assets to get what you want. And as we've seen before, the quickest way to ruin is to NOT spend frivolously on free agents just to keep your fan base warm during hot stove season. Ask Angel fans the past two seasons. Overspending only works if you win, and not all the time.

There are still free agents who can help the Rangers. But they probably won't cause the big stir of a Greinke or Hamilton. Nor will they break what is still a pretty healthy bank. Sometimes the best move is the one you DON'T make - especially when a gun is pointed at your head.

Look at ARod. I'm sure the Yankees would gladly pay half his remaining salary (at least) to not wear pinstripes. Why would the Rangers want to overpay a free agent with two or three good years left on a five or six year deal?

This is the time for the Rangers to keep their powder dry, their home grown players under control and their cash in their pocket. The first half of the upcoming season is for treading water and seeing what they have. With three high quality pitchers scheduled to return beginning in July, payroll flexibility and a better read on their young assets, they're well-positioned to make whatever moves are necessary to add the right piece or two by the trading deadline.

And for those who say that you "pay" more for players at the deadline, and considering the value of the transactions this off-season so far, that argument may hold less water.

As to the Elvis argument, I'd offer him $22 mil to extend two years and a $6 mil signing bonus.

The scenario is
1.--You pay Boras's demands for Elvis which will be top tier
2.-- Elvis goes over his agent's head
3.--You trade him
4.--You lose him to FA w or w/o an extra pick

Every team has a different set of circumstances and will act according to those circumstances. A team feeling a top tier SS is the key to winning it all will meet the top tier demands. A team with another viable replacement or in a money crunch may let him go. Most teams know contracts over 3 years are usually, in the end, not good for the club. Most players want long term security because they too know that many things can happen to derail a player's career.