This is simple. Move Kinsler to a Ben Zobrist type role.

If it was that simple don't you think we'd see more Ben Zobrist's out there. The guy is a freak and there aren't many people out there who can learn to play that many positions at an average to above-average level -- and still have their bat play well at the position.

I'm sure Kins will see reps at a few positions in Spring training but don't expect him to turn into Ben Zobrist in 2013.

Cruz will most likely be suspended 50 games. MLB doesn't need a positive test to suspend him and the others. If they can establish a trail, something like the records show the package was delivered to him, he's going down. The collective bargaining agreement loosened the terms by which players can be suspended.

A-Rod has lawyered up with a high powered attorney (the same guy who Kennedy off a few years ago). So anything beyond what the collective bargaining agreement allows (50 game suspensions) will be fought and most likely MLB & the teams will lose. So you can't negate contracts or anything like that.

I expect they will all deny this, but like most of these cases, evidence will show otherwise. But MLB doesn't have to release any of their evidence to the press, so we may never know exactly what they have on each player.

Three team trade - send Olt and BUckel to LAA, Profar and Perez and Guzman to Philly, receive back Trout and MY. Boom.

@TxBall
What to do with Cruz? I'd like to spank him. Funny funy funny!

I will always love Cruz for his 2011 ALCS, regardless of what happens. The walkoff GS, throwing out MIggy at home, etc....can't take that away.

@Txball: I was at Game 2. Probably my fondest memory at a game in-person, and that even includes an Astros-Dodgers game where each team hit a grand slam (the Dodgers' was hit by Scioscia), a 9th inning, 2-out tying homer by Biggio, and the Astros winning it in the 13th on a sac fly by the pitcher.

Please, please, please, stop the Kinsler to the OF bit.
Ian's ankle wouldn't hold up running to and fro to dugout
for 9 innings X's multiple games. Chasing a ball or a quick
stop short of the fans seats down the line might nix him for
the season. C'mon, Kinsler won't/can't play the outfield.

If this is true which I guess it most likely is I do not understand how Cruz maintained his bigness over the last two to three years. He certainly has not fallen off in that category. Or maybe these new drugs effect core muscles without effecting bulk that much? Or maybe he has been juicing the entire time? This is too bad because Cruz was the closest thing I had to a favorite player on the Rangers. I guess that is not to say that he is not still my almost favorite player but it still sucks.

To think the seven homers in the ALCS were juice induced is very depressing.

If he gets suspended is it without pay?

Soriano, yes. Cruz...NO NO. Trade Cruz or void his contract.

Really wishing we had pushed harder for the Upton trade now. Could we trade prospects for a big time corner outfielder?

Willingham has one year left on his deal. He won't cost a fortune. Make it happen.

Willingham has 2 years left on his contract. 2 very affordable years at $7 million each. Coming off his 2012 season he won't be cheap. Twins need pitching. It would be worth creating a package around a couple guys like Grimm or Buckel + Kirkman, Scheppers or Borbon. But I'm not very good a determining trade value. So this may be too much or maybe not enough...

They have to prove he did it 1st. THINK

The consensus is that a positive test isn't always necessary to entail a suspension. And, of course, as we saw with Ryan Braun, a suspension can be avoided even with a positive test, if the stars align.

Trying to make a trade at this point would be out of desperation. Other clubs would know that and act accordingly in their demands.

I think we stand of good chance (assuming Cruz gets suspended) of seeing Berkman play in the field a bit now. Its possible we see him at first some when Moreland has to cover RF now I think.

For those of who'd been writing the season off and believe that it really is a "transition year" for the club, you should love the Cruz news. If he sits 50 games (and that's a big IF at this point), start the guys everybody wants to platoon (Murphy, Gentry, and Martin) everyday in the outfield until Cruz comes back. We'll see pretty quickly how those guys fit in the long-term plans. Hell, we may also get to see if Moreland or Kinsler can play the outfield. That'll only help the cause headed into 2014.

I like the idea of bringing in Willingham. I'm not so sure how cheap he'd be but he would be an improvement over Cruz, at least offensively. Willingham is a below average OFer but the other, internal options mentioned above (Moreland, Olt, etc...) are likely going to be below average anyway, so why not add a power bat that I believe is under contract through 2014. If he's a huge liability in the OF we keep him there in this "transition year" and next year he becomes our full time DH.

The Twins are kind of in transition too and I'm not sure they'd just hand over Willingham for a bag of balls and a low level prospect. You would likely have to send back 2 pretty good prospects... like maybe Engel Beltre and Neil Ramirez?
I really don't know what he would cost... that may be way too much or way too little... I have no clue. I do know he can mash and his numbers would be even better hitting here, but he's also 34 and is making a good chunk of change. Regardless, he would be a very good replacement for Cruz...

I wouldn't be too surprised to see nothing happen to Cruz, or nothing happen till late in the year or next year. I suspect it will take longer for Cruz and Gonzales then any of the others because you have to have a tighter case I bet. You have to survive the arbiter without a positive test to fall back on to have the suspension stick.

As to what we do to cover over a Cruz absence. I suspect its about moving players we currently have in control. I don't think we bring in anyone else specifically for that reason.

I'm guessing that we keep Leury Garcia or Solatre around for the UIF who also plays OF, wouldn't want either of them getting 50 games of ABs, so that would probably mean a promotion for Olt to play 1b and push Moreland into the OF, as I don't think we have a reasonable COF in the high minors.

The Rangers do have the winner of the Best Defensive Center fielder in the AA Texas League, and was at one time thought highly of, but lacked discipline at the plate even though he was a potential 5 tool player. That is Engel Beltre, and he could be the biggest surprise in Arizona. He still has a long way to go, but it maybe now or never. With past results, , never would be the better bet, however last year at Frisco was in the right direction. An outfield of Murphy- Beltre/Gentry- Martin may not translate to great power, but would fit in what Washington would like to see evolve: more speed [Beltre had 36 sb in 2012] and much improved defense. Beltre has been with the Rangers since the 2007 trade of Gagne to the Red Sox, but is still only 23 and on the 40 man roster.

Wait... Willingham?

Nelson Cruz (2012): UZR -3.3 / UZR150 -2.8 / Arm 2.7
.Willingham (2012): UZR -7.9 / UZR150 -8.7 / Arm -3.5

Wow... and, you're bashing Nellie for poor defense? And, you wanna bring in THIS guy? To play DEFENSE? In place of Cruz???

Whew... glad this forum isn't making the decisions for this club... lol