The Rangers are getting asked about Blalock, but you are right, his value is low right now. The Rangers still expect he'll make a complete comeback and need him to drive in 100 runs in the middle of the order.

Since the Marlins announced they are willing to trade Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, are the Rangers going to try to make offers or are they just going to focus on other things?
-- Senna N., Allen, Texas

The Rangers are going to talk to the Marlins, but know it will take much to get either one of those two. Asked what it would take, a Rangers official said: "See Mark Teixeira trade."

Do you think a combination of Eric Hurley, Edinson Volquez, Metcalf and someone like Max Ramirez would be enough to get Cabrera from the Marlins?
-- Ryan D., Dallas

Many fans wrote in with trade proposals, and this probably was the closest to the package that Florida would want for Cabrera. But you'd have to include either Chris Davis or Taylor Teagarden.

If the Rangers offered Gerald Laird, Vicente Padilla, Jason Botts and Volquez to the Marlins, would they have a chance of getting Dontrelle Willis?
-- Cody A., San Angelo, Texas

No. The Marlins are trading Willis to save money. Getting Padilla would defeat that purpose. Plus, it would be difficult to trade Botts to a National League team.

What are your thoughts about Coco Crisp? Should the Rangers consider trading for him rather than going out and signing Torii Hunter?
-- Zach P., Belton, Texas

The Rangers definitely are interested in Crisp. He signed for two more years for a total of $10.5 million with an $8 million option for 2010. He is a plus defensive player, and his offensive numbers are solid. The problem is the Red Sox are dealing in a position of strength, with a number of teams interested, and they will not give him away.

Even though he is old and came off a rough year, do you think the Rangers might benefit from bringing in Darin Erstad to play 1B/OF?
-- Mark G., North Richland Hills, Texas

Erstad and Frank Catalanotto had almost the same number of at-bats in 2007. Catalanotto's other numbers were superior across the board.

If the Rangers move Laird, will they go after a mid-level catcher, like Paul Lo Duca, to platoon with Jarrod Saltalamacchia and be a mentor?
-- Cody D., Glen Rose, Texas

That's an interesting point. Lo Duca might fit that role well. So too could Jason Kendall or Damien Miller. Lo Duca might be too expensive, and as a free agent, he may look for a team for which he clearly would be the No. 1 starter.

I read that Erik Bedard might be available. Is there any chance of him coming to Texas?
-- Tom B., Coppell, Texas

The Rangers definitely would be interested in Bedard, but he might be more expensive than Willis, maybe Hurley, Volquez and Saltalamacchia. Bedard would be a huge pickup for any team.

Have a question about the Rangers? E-mail your query to MLB.com Rangers beat reporter T.R. Sullivan for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

Is there any chance the Rangers would trade Michael Young to the White Sox for Juan Uribe and Jon Garland or Jose Contreras?
-- Michael B., Fond du Lac, Wis.

No. If you trade Young, you better be getting something back that will put you in the World Series immediately or a Teixeira-like package of future prospects.

I know it would be a risk, but if the Rangers could get Mike Sweeney or even Shawn Green and either were to stay healthy, couldn't that be the impact at first base they need?
-- Cody A., San Angelo, Texas

Green might be worth a look if the price is right, because he can play first base, the outfield or be a designated hitter. Sweeney has had too many injuries and would be limited to DH duty. He's no longer a first baseman.

Wouldn't Jose Guillen fit our need for a corner outfielder? He could probably hit 30 home runs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
-- Garret G., Red Oak, Texas

Guillen would have been high on the Rangers' list if not for recent reports linking him to HGH. That probably will back them off for now.

What's your opinion on trading Padilla for Richie Sexson?
-- Andrew B., Arlington

Length of contract is huge. Padilla has two years left at $24 million, and Sexson has one year at $14 million. Basically with this deal, both teams have to decide which is more likely: Padilla winning 15 games, like he did in 2006, or Sexson driving in 107 runs, like he did in '06.

What are the chances of trading Blalock, Laird and Matt Harrison to the Mets for Carlos Beltran?
-- Jesse M., Omaha

The Mets aren't trying to trade Beltran, and they have David Wright to play third base.

The Mets seem to have a healthy helping at each of the outfield and first-base spots. The Mets have plenty of outfielders already at the Major League level and two of the best first base prospects around. What about trading for Nick Evans or Mike Carp at first and either Fernando Martinez or Carlos Gomez at outfield?
-- Matt E., Greenville, Texas

The outfielders are rated higher than the first basemen, and the Mets, I'm told, aren't likely to deal either one. Maybe if you offer Hurley or Volquez something could be worked out.

What about trading Laird, Kameron Loe and maybe a player to be named to the Pirates for Ian Snell?
-- Lance L., Granbury, Texas

The Pirates might move Snell, but they would want a good young player in return, either an established young player like Ian Kinsler or a hot prospect like Hurley or Volquez. They have several catchers close to Laird in ability.

Is there a chance the Rangers will sign two big outfielders instead of just a center fielder? It would be exciting to see an outfield of Torii Hunter, Kosuke Fukudome and Marlon Byrd.
-- Brandon R., Granbury, Texas

The Rangers want a center fielder. If they land one, then they will address the corner outfield situation and/or first base. The Rangers could end up pursuing both Hunter and Fukudome, but they would be happy to get one.

Have the Rangers given up on moving Joaquin Arias to center field due to the shoulder injury he had, or was that idea doomed from the beginning?
-- Wayne K., Dumas, Texas

The Rangers' No. 1 goal with Arias right now is to get him healthy and have him return to top prospect status with a big year at Triple-A Oklahoma. Center field is out.

Will John Rheinecker pitch for the Rangers in 2008?
-- Jim W., Seattle

Absolutely. He is the No. 2 left-hander in the Texas bullpen right now behind closer C.J. Wilson.

Why are the Rangers chasing aging center fielders with David Murphy ready?
-- David J., Dallas

Murphy is the benchmark. If the Rangers can do better, they will, and Murphy still will play a prominent role in the corners. If they can't do better than Murphy and Byrd, then they'll stick with them and try to upgrade at other spots.

Do the Rangers have interest in Freddy Garcia despite his injuries last season? I realize the Rangers have young talent they want to produce at the Major league level, but perhaps Garcia could regain his stuff and produce, much like Padilla did in his first year with Texas.
-- Andrew B., Longview, Texas

You have to make that phone call to his agent and at least look at the medical reports. Garcia, Bartolo Colon and Kerry Wood are three of the most interesting free agents out there.

Do you see Jamey Wright becoming a potential closer in the not too distant future?
-- Mike E., Austin

The easy answer is no, but closers have a variety of backgrounds. There are several mediocre starters who became front-line closers. Jose Mesa comes to mind.

I noticed the name of Benjamin Petralli in the 2007 Draft picks. Is he any relation of our Geno, who was catcher before Pudge Rodriguez?
-- Shirley K., Pantego, Texas

He is Geno's son. He is going to play baseball at Oral Roberts University.