The Rangers need to commit to a full season with Wilson as closer. Case closed. He is not perfect, and it can be extremely nerve-racking watching him in the ninth. But he wants it badly, and the Rangers have no real alternative other than Eddie Guardado, who would be a short-term solution. The Rangers need to stand by Wilson to the end and cut short any ambiguity or suggestions to the contrary. They can re-evaluate at the end of the season.

Assuming they are both healthy, what kind of trade value do you think Vicente Padilla and Kevin Millwood would have come the end of July?
-- Joel S., Murphy, Texas

Padilla more than Millwood, whose value is down and is worth more to the Rangers right now than what they can get in a trade. Padilla could be of interest to other teams, but remember, the Rangers are trying to add pitching, not subtract it. They would need quality young pitching in return.

With Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang out until at least September, would the Yankees welcome a trade for Millwood or Padilla?
-- Drew T., Plano, Texas

All I can tell you is Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is extremely thorough, but he has also been reluctant to trade young pitching, which is what the Rangers would demand in return.

I was watching a Phillies-Red Sox game and the broadcast showed players on the trading block. They said that Milton Bradley is possible. Why should we trade him while he is putting up All-Star numbers and he helps us a lot in the middle of the lineup?
-- Alex E., Waxahachie, Texas

Look, any player who is a free agent after the season and on a team that is perceived to be a non-contender is automatically classified as available. It's that simple. But unless the Rangers have a complete collapse in July, count on Bradley being here all year.

I read that the Rangers could possibly be interested in acquiring C.C Sabathia from the Indians. What would we have to give up for him? And is it a good idea?
-- Tyler D., Lubbock, Texas

The Indians have not yet committed to trading Sabathia, although the Red Sox are hot after him. The Indians also know they are going to get two Draft picks as compensation if he leaves as a free agent, so they'll want far more than that in a trade: at least three good Minor League prospects.

Desperately needing a reliable middle reliever, would it make sense for the Rangers to get a Chad Bradford or Jamie Walker, or are they looking for younger relievers?
-- Drew T. Plano, Texas

Both would be nice acquisitions for a team in contention and needing bullpen help. Both are signed for next year, Bradford for $3.5 million and Walker for $4.5 million. Bradford is having the better season. It would depend on what the Orioles want, but both are good names to bring up.

I have read that Tampa Bay is in the market for an everyday right fielder and bullpen specialist. Would Bradley, Nelson Cruz and Guardado be enough to pry David Price away from them?
-- Matt J. Garland, Texas

No. You generally don't trade the No. 1 overall pick for a short-term package, even one that attractive. The Rays see Price being a No. 1 starter for many years to come.

Do you think the Rangers have a chance to sign free-agent-to-be Ben Sheets? Will they even consider it?
-- Keith B., Sherman, Texas

He's having a great year, so you know the price will be high. You also know that he hasn't pitched 200 innings in a season since 2004. That's a bit troubling. He is from Louisiana, so Texas would be a good fit. The Rangers have to explore it, but warily.

During Spring Training, there were reports saying how Elvis Andrus was going to be the shortstop of the future and that his defense was Major League caliber already. But now I just read that he has committed his 18th error of the season. Is that cause for concern?
-- Aaron R., Dallas

You can't sugarcoat the fact that that's high. But three things: First, he is still only 19 and playing far higher in the system than his age would suggest. Secondly, his range factor of 4.96 chances per nine innings is higher than every Major League shortstop but Orlando Cabrera. Finally, high error totals in the Minors are common. Omar Vizquel made 25 errors in each of his last two full Minor League seasons, and he ranks right up there as one of the best to ever play the position.

I remember last season there were a lot of rumors about Hank Blalock being next on the trade block. Do you think his shift to first base gives him more job security with the Rangers?
-- Daniel A., Garland, Texas

His health issues have rendered his trade value far below his value to the Rangers.

Will the Rangers give Cruz one last shot at the big leagues before he becomes a free agent at the conclusion of the World Series? He has been thumping Triple-A pitching this year.
-- Mick W., Irving, Texas

It would likely take a significant injury to get him back to the Major League level.

Why in the world would the Rangers keep Doug Mathis and designate Robinson Tejeda? It appeared that Tejeda had regained his confidence at Triple-A, just like Volquez had done last year.
-- Richard S., Erwin. Tenn.

The Rangers made the judgment that Tejeda did not throw enough strikes to merit being in their bullpen at the Major League level. Now he is in the Royals' bullpen.

How long is it going to take for the Rangers to sign Justin Smoak?
-- Adam Y., Forney, Texas

The deadline is Aug. 15. He will sign, but it takes time because agents don't want their players signing for slot money. If so, there is no need to have an agent. So these things get dragged out because clubs don't want to be the first to defy the Commissioner's Office and sign a player for higher than slot money. Smoak will sign eventually. The tough sign will be the second-round pick, Robbie Ross, a high school pitcher from Kentucky who wants far more than slot money.

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:

When a Minor League player is called up, does he receive any increase in pay? If they remain up for the rest of the season -- or a large part of it -- does their pay increase again?
-- Barrett W., Garland, Texas

All players make a prorated portion of the minimum of $392,000 when they come up to the big leagues, which is much higher than what they are getting in the Minor Leagues.

Can you please let me know the last time the Rangers came out ahead on a trade? It seems we always get the losing end of the deal.
-- Mike F. Eugene, Oregon

You want David Murphy or Eric Gagne?

Michael Young supposedly drops a weight on his finger, the exact same day that the Rangers put Sidney Ponson on a Midnight Train to Georgia. Coincidence? I don't think so. Can you verify for us what really happened? While you're at it, check into that whole Kennedy thing, too.
-- Darrin W., Fort Worth, Texas

No, Young did not get into it with Ponson. Besides, he's right-handed and he hurt his left hand. And Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.