@andrew If you look at St. Louis's crop of young talent and lack of a good SS you'd think there may be a trade to make there for Elvis. We could possibly get an established guy like Lance Lynn or Allen Craig, or a package of young guys like Rosenthal/Adams etc.

Personally I would trade Elvis for Upton if still possible. This team is undergoing a massive identity shift and it's time to stop fighting it. Of course if they're holding onto Elvis on the off chance that Profar is traded next year as part of a Stanton deal, I can't totally fault that logic either.

As for the OP, sign me up on Pierzynski, but I still have questions about Swisher. If we sign Swisher our options are:

1) Trade Cruz or make him full-time DH, put Swish in RF (I know the UZR is good but can he throw worth a damn? He's been playing in a little league stadium the last few years.)

2) Trade Murphy, move Kins to LF

3) Trade Elvis so Kins and Jurk play their natural positions

4) Trade Kins (Doubtful, but really what is the point of playing him at 1B?)

And not to mention this would completely eliminate any role for Moreland and Olt over the next few years. I know Swish puts up gaudy OPS and is very versatile but if we sign him it opens the door for a lot more moves I think.

I'm sorry Jondar, but since when is one full season (lynn) equate to "established"? Or, in Craig's case, not even one full season (only 119 games last season and only about 230-240 total in MLB).

Make Pierzinski and offer he cant refuse and tell him its off the table if he walks out the door. Then sign Swisher, Laroche or both. then package Olt, Moreland, Perez and a prospect for Stanton. Then we could all say Josh who?

http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2012/12/16/3772442/adam-wainwright-lame-duck-contract-possible-trade-candidate

found this on a cards fanblog. #1 option: wainwright+ for elvis. I do that deal in my sleep straight up.

does the team that signs AJ lose a draft pick?

I wonder if JD read that same blog Nate. I'd jump at it.

Also, if Swisher is signed I'd like to see him in RF full time then platoon Cruz/Murphy in left & Gentry/Martin in center.

No, AJ didn't receive a QO. Swisher did, though.

I agree, elvis for wainwright would be very desirable. i think this team has some serious problems if it goes in with the rotation it has now. #5 spot right now is very iffy, and we all saw last year what a couple of injuries can throw into the whole mix.

i don't know as much about upton as I'd like, but obviously next year's team is going to be about small ball, a la 2010 much more so than 2011. It seems like if upton is about better defense in the outfield, speed, obp, and a little power, then Swisher could give you the power and obp while gentry and martin keep the outfield speedy for a lot less money. plus you've got a legit #2/3 starter to fill out the rotation.

Murphy and Cruz don't excite me defensively though, Upton's upgrade there would be desirable in the corners.

Murphy was great in LF this year. If you get Upton, you put him in RF. That's not up for discussion.

A J Pierzinski has the reputation as a real jerk--but fills our need for a catcher and a left handed bat!.

I say we make him the second best offer-
-and hope he will come here for for slightly less money.

Play up the no state income tax angle!

I meant that Lynn and Craig are more established relative to their young guns like Miller, Kelly, Rosenthal, or their minor league studs. I'm not sure about trading Elvis for Wainwright unless he agrees to an extension first like Dickey. But if they threw in Martinez, Craig, Adams, Rosenthal, etc. that sounds better.

This isn't the same Wainright since he came back from his season long injury in 2011. Plus he's 31 and will turn 32 in the middle of next season. Meaning, the Rangers probably wouldn't pay to extend him. Unless we're getting a big haul of prospects or just 1 by the name of Taveras...I say pass.

I don't think the Org. views NS, as an "Add". He's a Type B player. Nice, but not really a true difference maker.
He's going to want a contract for more than two years, at a rate the Rangers won't pay at his age. Giving up
a draft pick works against common sense also. I like Swisher, but the Org. can do better. He does fits Seattle.

I don't think the Rangers can do better than Swisher, actually. Unless we trade for a "type A", as you presumably call it (and we've shown that we value a lot of our guys high enough that making such a trade looks unlikely), I don't think we can do better than Swisher to improve the team. Bourn does not strike me as much of an improvement over the guys he would likely replace (Gentry, Martin, and whoever is behind them), whereas Swisher would likely be a noticeable upgrade over Cruz and/or Moreland.

Seems like we signed AJ to one year prolly in the 5-9 million range he was supposly asking for

@Andy
I like Swisher. Actually I've watched him from the beginning, as being a #1 pick/OAL 2002.
It's his playoff stats and visual play during, I don't like. 11 series/46 games- basically, a no show.
If we're thinking of Swisher(FA), I'd like to look into talks w/ Baltimore on Markakis(on his down year).
I think Nick could be had. I see a better upside in Nick Markakis. Love to have him.

People who like Swisher haven't seen him play everyday. I live up here in Yankeeland and his act had gotten old. Yeah, he's got the whole lovable knucklehead thing going on with the fans in rightfield. But he's going to get 4 years from somebody and it better not be us. Plus, he is Mr. Take Strike Three Right Down The Middle.

Monetary resources can be used better over the next 4 years.

i think AJ has acquired a bad reputation that he isn't likely to shed. my take on him is that he plays the game with passion. he is uber-competitive, and he is an extrovert. he doesn't hide his opinions or his emotions, and he doesn't give a $h1t whether people like him or not. he plays with a fire in his gut, he gives his heart and soul to the team he plays for, and he absolutely HATES everybody else. i think he'll fit right into our clubhouse.

I repeat: Now just add Swisher and one good bullpen arm, and watch this team go.