Add these two guys and another top-notch bullpen arm. Then just wait and see how good this team is.

Pierzynski I can understand. We need another catcher, badly. I hate the guy, but we could certainly use him.

As for swisher, I'm really not sure how much value he'd bring. His defense is awful and frankly I think he'd take playing time away from our young players.

Gawd I wish there were better options out there! Pierzynski is supposedly a Jerk in the clubhouse probably why he isn't getting many offers right now. I hope JD can find something better.

Swisher could fill a need at the right price though.

Swisher's UZR numbers from 2010-2012 are: 0.7, 6.9, 3.7. That's average to above-average.

Next.

Actually, no, Joe, Pierzynski is not a jerk in the clubhouse. It's opposing teams that hate him and consider him a jerk. His rep has always been if he's on your team you love him; if he's on the opposition you hate him.

I think both of them would be good signings. Pierzynski has a reputation of being a punk but would provide a substantial offensive upgrade over Geo Soto. I also like Swisher. I'm not sure he's a consolation prize for losing Hamilton, and you're right about his defense, but he's a run producing switch hitter with an OPS over .800 from both sides, and he can fill slots in RF, 1B or DH. He's no superstar, but I think he's incredibly useful in a lineup like the Rangers'.

Precisely, PhishTank.

Reports coming out today that many inside baseball still expect ARZ to trade Upton this offseason. I don't sign Swisher until another team makes ARZ a better offer than TEX and gets him, which with the way it's going will probably happen.

Is it true that JD is balking at trading Elvis for Upton?

I can't believe that. I imagine ARZ wants a lot more than just Elvis, and that is probably what JD is balking at.

Is Upton a good clubhouse guy?

I forgot ARZ already got their shortstop?

Where is Swisher going to play? You're not going to add a high dollar bench guy that has no place to play. If you could add him as a PH at the right price it would not be a bad go there. He will get more than that type of offer from weaker teams and would not want to be mostly a PH. Too much money sitting on the bench takes too much money off the field. Of the 2 Swisher is said to be the jerk in the clubhouse. Remember every player in requires someone on the 25 man roster to go. Woods is there, must remain there or be sent back as he cannot be sent down. With Pierzynski he would take the place of one of the Catchers and of the 2 is the best option for an addition. Olt and Moreland in RF is a better option with Cruz as DH. Olt as a backup at 3B and Moreland at 1B as a backup to Kinsler at 1B (not good IMO) and with Profar at 2B if he makes the roster gives lots of options that look really good without Swisher bitching about not being a regular. If he was worth his pay he would have resigned where he came from or already been snapped up.

lwayne,

My best guess, if Swisher were signed he would play 1B/RF/DH. Next year he would take over in RF, when Cruz leaves.

I don't know a lot about Swisher, but I have followed his career since he was with Oakland. I think he'd be a good fit. I don't remember anyone ever saying he was a jerk in the clubhouse, but I guess anything is possible. He kind of seems the boastful guy who thinks a little too much of himself, but honestly, nothing wrong with that if he's putting up an .800+ OPS.

Joe,

Yea, ARZ got their "future Jeter" (heh), but I could still see them swinging something for Olt+ perhaps. Maybe Towers has come to the realization that he still has Upton, and he still doesn't like Upton.

Yes to both. Swisher is an upgrade in RF or 1B and a perfect replacement for Nelly's bat when he leaves. AJ is an upgrade at catcher too. Best part, both hit left-handed, are pretty consistent, and provide some huge flexibility in terms of lineups and the trade market if we decide to let some players go. Both seem to be pretty patient right now and I'm sure their agents are telling them to wait how the Rangers offseason unfolds before getting too attached to a team. (ie. Swisher in Cleveland) If anything, if we're going to play small ball...Swisher fits to a T. The dude is the epitome of OBP. I definitely think they're d-bags when their the opponent though, but that attitude may do this clubhouse well. A focused, want to kick your ass at all costs would probably help these guys change the culture from last season.

I think the book on Swisher is he's a great clubhouse guy.

I have heard Cleveland wants Swish bad. Swish has been a Ranger killer these last few years and for that reason alone I think he would be a good signing. Rosenthal writes that Wash likes Swish. AJ has a rep of being a butt however he plays hard and grinds which earns the respect of team mates. JD and Wash have told Soto that he will be the primary catcher this season. So in my opinion we are rolling with what we have right now unless we get Upton or Stanton in a trade, which I seriously doubt. AZ wants too much for Upton and they know they have us over a barrel. The Marlins think Stanton will sell out the stadium there apparently. I do think you will see a few more bullpen arms come in either via trade or on Minor League contracts. But for the most part, JD and the FO are not that excited about what is left on the market from what Rosenthal writes. So let's get excited about the younger guys learning on the job and having some fun. We may not make it to the WS but it will be a fun season. And if Perez, Olt, Profar, and Martin have matured the way everyone thinks they have we might surprise a few people.

Personally, I wish we could have hung onto McGuinness in the rule 5 draft that guy was a beast in the AFL and in the minors, would like to have seen what he can do in the spring.

Seems to me that AJP is a perfect fit. Left handed bat (which they only have two + 1 switch hitter) with pop (just lost a ton of it and I do understand that last season was his biggest HR season), at a position where Texas is woefully inadequate offensively. Seems he would bridge the gap until Alfaro (or someone else) is ready. I don't know what the price is or what the budget is though. I like Swisher too, but COF/1B isn't the complete hole that C is right now, especially if Kinsler moves from 2B.

is there any market for trading elvis (for pitching, hopefully) besides to Arizona? If you sign Swisher you could roll with Swisher, Kinsler, and Profar around the infield instead of Kinsler, Profar, and Elvis. Ian still gets to be an above-average 2B instead of an average 2B, you get something for Elvis instead of nothing, and Profar still learns on the job.

average 1B for kins, sorry.

With all the goofy guys in our clubhouse, you don't think Swisher would fit right in?

Also, what gnats said. Probably 1B and RF with the occasional DH. I hope Cruz doesn't have to play much RF next year; with Josh gone he might be the weakest defender the Rangers have on the field.

Bitch about Swisher's personality all you want.

The fact is, this team could use a little attitude and swagger. That's what these two guys bring.

Here's my hopeful roster/lineup. I'm doing like football lineup - 2 deep.

Profar (Kinsler) 2B
Andrus (Profar) SS
Kinsler (Gentry, Martin)CF
Beltre (backup?) 3B
Berkman (Gentry, Kinsler, Moreland, others) DH
Murphy (Martin) RF
Swisher (Murphy, Berkman, Kinsler) LF
Moreland (Berkman) 1B
Pierzynski (Soto) C

Basically, I'd like to see us dump Cruz and add a Catcher (Pierzynski), left handed power bat (Berkman) and upgrade the OF where possible (Swisher). The importance of these moves is in the order listed. Catcher is paramount; our current and future there is relatively weak.

We could acquire swisher for the "power bat" need but I like Berkman there. Both are switch hitters and can capably play multiple positions (thought not that well). Our needs are in more relatively unimportant defensive positions (corner outfield, 1b, DH).

I like the Berkman signing because I think we can get a value deal there like we did with Vlad. His numbers recently have been pretty good when healthy. In the BPiA he should see power numbers continue.

Pitching is another matter.

I agree with those who say a little more attitude would be a breath of fresh air for this team.

By the way, speaking of Cruz and right field, is anyone else baffled by how these guys make it all the way to the majors without learning to go back on a ball hit over their head? Even A-Rod had that weakness. Cruz has it in spades. Comes in great; can't go back at all.

Welp, we're meeting with AJP today per MLBTR.