Christmas Eve Open Thread: Four Questions

Quick, somebody make a joke about how Yorvit spends too much time arguing and not enough time hitting in the cages! It'll be hilarious!1. Provided that the Rangers do end up signing Yu Darvish, they'll have five other projected starters on hand in Alexi Ogando, Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, and Colby Lewis, and a bullpen comprising Joe Nathan, Mike Adams, Koji Uehara, Mark Lowe, Yoshinori Tateyama, Scott Feldman, and likely one more left-handed reliever, given that Ron Washington and company probably aren't going to be on board with a LHP-devoid bullpen.

They're obviously not going to roll with a six-man rotation, so they'll either move one of their starters back to the bullpen and bump one of those six relievers aside (probable), or they'll trade one of their starters (less probable, but still an option). As of this exact moment in time, what do you foresee the Rangers doing to clear this pitching "logjam?"

2. The annual Hall of Fame balloting rigmarole is underway, and this year's list of viable candidates is comprised almost entirely of returning players, with Bernie Williams being the only first time-eligible Cooperstown hopeful in the bunch with even a remote shot at election. You can view the entire list of HOF candidates here, which includes the likes of Barry Larkin, Jack Morris, Lee Smith, Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines, Edgar Martinez, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Larry Walker, and Alan Trammel.

If you were a part of the electorate and had the ability to cast a valid ballot, who would be included on your ballot?

3. Gaze into your crystal ball and give me these predictions on Yu Darvish: the length and value of his eventual contract with the Rangers (assuming that he does sign), the number of innings he will pitch in 2012, and -- you can pick whichever one you're the most comfortable with -- either his ERA or wins above replacement produced in 2012.

4. Yorvit Torrealba is presumably in pretty hot water after taking a shot at an umpire during yesterday's Venezuelan Winter League affair, with the Rangers acknowledging that they are "aware and looking into" the incident, and Jon Daniels cryptically remarking that any potential disciplinary action taken against Torrealba would "depend upon circumstances." In addition, Pudge told ESPN 103.3's Ben and Skin yesterday that he would "absolutely" welcome a return to the Rangers in a backup catching capacity.

Is there any merit to the idea of the Rangers simply being that put off by Torrealba's actions and/or performance up to this point, and dealing him away on the cheap so that they could grab Pudge or another backup catcher off the free agent pile? Or are the Rangers better served by maintaining the status quo behind the plate, and allowing Torrealba to soak up 60-70 games at catcher next season.