Right now the rotation is Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Matt Harrison, Scott Feldman and Brandon McCarthy. That's where you start.

Then comes a group of contenders that includes (in this order) Dustin Nippert, Eric Hurley, Luis Mendoza, Kason Gabbard and Doug Mathis. Then come the prospects, including Thomas Diamond, Derek Holland, Neftali Feliz and Tommy Hunter. That's it for now. There is a long list of Class A potential stars, including Blake Beavan and Michael Main, but until they have success at Double-A, they should not be considered candidates for the Major League staff.

In your opinion, who are five free agents that would be at the top of the Rangers' list to sign this offseason?
-- Kyle S., Dallas

Much depends on how much they want to spend. If they need a third baseman, they will look at Joe Crede and Casey Blake. If they want a big bat for the middle of the lineup, they might look at Raul Ibanez.

The free-agent market for pitching is unusually deep this year, but the Rangers are on record as saying they will not spend big money in that regard. If they go second tier, some names that may prove attractive are Randy Wolf, Oliver Perez and Braden Looper. Ryan Dempster, Derek Lowe and Jon Garland are more reliable but may be beyond the team's self-imposed price range.

Will the Rangers get Rick Peterson as the pitching coach?
-- Patrick G., Grand Prairie, Texas

Yes. The Rangers are hoping to interview Brewers pitching coach Mike Maddux, but it's more likely that Greg's younger brother will stay in Milwaukee. It's likely that the Rangers will hire Peterson and move Andy Hawkins to bullpen coach.

What do you think the Rangers will do with C.J. Wilson? I mean, he pretty much struggled most of the season. Was the only reason he struggled because he was playing with an arm injury?
-- Zach K., Grapevine, Texas

There was much debate last season if Wilson could have pitched through his arm injury and if undergoing surgery was premature. The Rangers wanted him to keep pitching. Wilson felt he had pitched long enough with elbow soreness.

The issue needs to be put to rest. The Rangers must have an effective Wilson in their bullpen next season, either as a closer or a left-handed setup reliever. He needs to do everything he can to be ready by Spring Training, and the Rangers need to welcome him back if he's ready to go. Case closed.

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 kind of impact will the hiring of Dave Anderson really have on the infield defense? From my understanding, if the pitching doesn't do its part and throw strikes, it's kind of lulling the defense to sleep, right?
-- Brandon S., Arlington

The Rangers need to play better defense, regardless of the quality of their pitching. They need to do a better job of fielding the ball. They need to do a better job of positioning their fielders, and they need to do a better job of executing defensive plays. Anderson comes highly regarded from people who know baseball. General manager Jon Daniels said Anderson was the most qualified person for the job, which is high praise. The Rangers also interviewed Perry Hill, who has an outstanding reputation as a defensive instructor.

I am a huge Ron Washington fan, but was he not the man in charge of the infield in Oakland? Why does he not do the same for us in Texas?
-- Hap H., Maxwell, Texas

Washington is the manager of the Rangers. He needs to manage. Bud Black was a great pitching coach, but he does not serve in that capacity for the Padres. He is their manager. Same with Charlie Manuel, who was an outstanding hitting coach. But the Phillies have a hitting coach in Milt Thompson. Manuel is the manager.

Do you think the Rangers would consider trading for pitcher Scott Olsen of the Marlins?
-- Adam D., Sherman, Texas

That's an interesting name considering the Marlins are looking for catching help and the Rangers have a surplus. Olsen is also left-handed. That's definitely a possibility.

Do you envision any scenario whereby the third-base job could come down to a battle between Joaquin Arias, Travis Metcalf and German Duran?
-- Matt E., Ada, Okla.

No. Arias can't play on the left side of the infield because of his shoulder. Duran is more of a second baseman. Metcalf is the only true third baseman in that group, and it's too bad that his hamstring surgery kept the Rangers from getting a better read on him last year. You could do worse at third.

If Milton Bradley isn't re-signed for next year, what are the chances the Rangers offer a 1-2 year contract to Mike Cameron? He could mainly play right field on an everyday basis and switch to center when Josh Hamilton needs a day off.
-- Brent M., Crowley, Texas

I'd rather have Marlon Byrd. The Rangers have enough outfielders.

In the long run, what do you expect to happen to Michael Young? With Elvis Andrus, Ian Kinsler, Chris Davis and the other surplus of young infield talent the Rangers have, are they going to trade Young or keep him around as a veteran leader?
-- Justin L., Fort Worth, Texas

Young is going to be the Rangers' Opening Day shortstop, and Andrus will be at Triple-A Oklahoma. At some point the Rangers likely will ask Young to move to third base. It is a definite topic of conversation within the organization. But that probably won't happen until 2010 at the earliest.

Will the Winter Meetings be the first chance we see of any trades or signings?
-- Tom A., Odessa, Texas

As soon as the World Series is over, the general managers will hold their annual meetings in California. That's the opening round of the offseason, and there will be much in the way of deals and signings before the Winter Meetings begin on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas.

I like Byrd as the fourth outfielder, but he certainly is not a No. 4 or 5 hitter. Am I wrong or was Davis a better clutch hitter?
-- Phil A., Hideaway, Texas

Nobody was a better clutch hitter than Byrd in the final two months of the season, but there's no doubt that Davis will ultimately be slotted into the middle of the order once he gets more experience.

I can recall reading one time that the Rangers were considering trying Davis in right field because he had such a powerful arm. Do you think that the Rangers would still consider this, if Blalock proves to be healthy and Justin Smoak develops like they think he will, and do you think Davis could play there?
-- Matt K., Sherman, Texas

The Rangers will consider all options if Smoak ends up as good as they expect, but that may be a couple years away. Yes, Davis could do an adequate job in right field or third base. But there's no doubt first base is his best position, and he could be a premier defender.

I've heard a lot of good things regarding Blake Beavan. When do you see the Rangers possibly calling him up to get a Major League start under his belt like they did with Hunter and Harrison last season?
-- Allan H., Red Oak, Texas

No. Please, no. He has had just one full season of professional baseball at low Class A. There are a sufficient number of prospects ahead of him where there is no need to put him on the fast track.

How long will it take for Hamilton to sign a long-term contract with the Rangers?
-- Rosenia G., Los Angeles

It will be something the Rangers address between the beginning of the New Year and the end of Spring Training.

Give me the best deal that Daniels has made since he has been here other than Hamilton for Edinson Volquez and tell me the worst deal he has made in your opinion.
-- John S., Kerrville, Texas

Best deal: Eric Gagne to the Red Sox for David Murphy, Gabbard and Minor League outfielder Engel Beltre. The other way? Armando Galarraga to the Tigers for Minor League outfielder Michael Hernandez.

I am a longtime Rangers fan. Why does the organization let the veterans contaminate the young players by dipping and chewing tobacco on national television? It is not a good image.
-- Kenneth A., Odessa

You mean it doesn't enhance your pleasure of watching the World Series by seeing all those closeup shots of players spitting?