Young is the only one who knows how bad they are and refuses to use them as an excuse. There is no doubt that they have impacted his production to a certain degree. Swinging a bat and hitting a 95-mph fastball with a fractured finger has to be painful.

In my opinion, the two players who have not received nearly enough credit for what they've done this year are Young and Jamey Wright. Both post up every day without even a hint that there might be something physically wrong with them, but there's no doubt both have been pushed to their physical limits.

How do Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland and Tommy Hunter fit into the Rangers' plans for next year? Are these guys going to get a shot in Spring Training? Are they destined for Double-A Frisco or Triple-A Oklahoma? What odds do you give one of them of cracking the rotation next year?
-- Ben F., Georgetown, Texas

All three should start the season in Triple-A, but it will be interesting to see if the Rangers invite Feliz and Holland to Major League camp. If so, they have the potential to create the classic media feeding frenzy if one or both light up the camp. Right now, Holland appears to be more polished as a complete pitcher than Feliz and stands a very good chance of making his Major League debut at some point next season. But not right away. Hunter is a viable candidate for the rotation in Spring Training, but may have been pushed too fast this season.

Do you think that the Rangers would be better off if they traded Ian Kinsler in order to get a guy like Tim Lincecum, Chad Billingsley or Zack Greinke? That would enable them to move Young back to second base and allow Elvis Andrus to take over at shortstop in a couple of years.
-- Joel S., Carrollton, Texas

Trading Kinsler might seem unfathomable, but that's the kind of guy other teams want to talk about when it comes to impact pitching, not all these creative packages. Your idea is not without merit.

What are the odds that Frank Francisco will be a frontrunner next season for the closer's job and that the front office will get good supporting guys (like Eddie Guardado) around him?
-- Steve J., Carrollton, Texas

Possession is nine-tenths of the law, and Francisco has the job right now. That does make him the frontrunner. C.J. Wilson is certainly in the picture, though there is much debate in the organization about letting him close again, and the Rangers will look in the offseason again for someone like Guardado, who could be an alternative. But Francisco should get first crack.

Why do you rate Milton Bradley as a three and Frank Catalanotto as a six on your scale regarding the chances of them coming back?
-- Payton, Abilene, Texas

Bradley's chances of returning appear to be diminishing for no reason other than that he's had trouble staying in the lineup on a regular basis because of different physical issues. Catalanotto's chances of returning are higher, because he is signed for 2009, though the Rangers will try to trade him in the offseason.

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:

What are the chances of Joaquin Arias and Nelson Cruz still being members of the Rangers next year?
-- Ghisbell S., Lynn, Mass.

Arias is a candidate for the utility infielder's spot, but he needs to get his throwing arm back to full strength. Right now, it's not strong enough for him to play either short or third base. Cruz is definitely in the Rangers' 2009 outfield picture, especially with Bradley falling out of it.

What would it take to get Edwin Jackson or Andy Sonnanstine from the Rays in the offseason?
-- Drew T., Plano, Texas

Bet the moon that the minute those trade discussions begin, the first name brought up by the Rays will be David Murphy.

What would you think of the Rangers using a package built around Jarrod Saltalamacchia to try to entice the Giants to give up one of their talented young pitchers? Maybe Saltalamacchia, Cruz or John Mayberry and a second- or third-tier pitching prospect?
-- Scott F., Nicholasville, Ky.

Any trade discussions with the Giants for pitching will start with Chris Davis. But the Giants have told the Rangers they aren't moving either Matt Cain or Lincecum.

How does an organization say it is satisfied with coming in second place when it's 17 1/2 games out of first? If you look at the other two teams which are in third and fourth, that's not saying as much about your team as comparing it to a better team would, wouldn't you agree?
-- Robert S., San Diego, Calif.

The Rangers aren't satisfied with anything. They are pleased with the progress of some young players, and they are pleased that they came back strong after a terrible start, despite all the injuries. But they are far from satisfied with this season.

I was wondering if the Rangers are going to cut Kevin Millwood, because he's always hurt and hasn't really lived up to his contract -- and we could use that money on a free agent.
-- Alex A., Terrell, Texas

This is not pro football. All contracts are guaranteed. You can not cut a player and use that money elsewhere. Millwood is signed for 2009.

I like what I have seen out of Arias. If his arm is healthy next year, what do you think about the Rangers doing with him what the Rays did with B.J. Upton and move him to center field?
-- Chris S., Hurst, Texas

That seems to be how he hurt his arm, by playing the outfield in Spring Training 2007.

Given that there are so many good teams in the American League, how do you think the Rangers would do in the National League?
-- Gabe H., Crowley, Texas

There's no doubt they would lead the NL in runs scored over there as well.

Okay, I'm officially sick of this team and its approach to putting a winner on the field. Let's say I'm the new owner of the team, and I've just made you the new general manager, what can you do to give me a winning team?
-- Dirk K., Georgetown, Texas

Take your money and sign CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets, Ryan Dempster, Manny Ramirez and Francisco Rodriguez. Then give myself a hefty raise.

I think the pitch-calling has really hurt our starters. The pitch-calling has been so repetitious that batters can just guess location and get it. I wish they'd pitch like Nolan Ryan, up and down and not just side to side.
-- Paul A., Irving, Texas

Yep, the Rangers' pitching staff would be much better if they were all like Nolan Ryan.