Hurley made five starts for the Rangers this past season and four were solid before missing the second half with a shoulder injury. Prediction: He is my "pick to click" in Spring Training next year. The Rangers are not overlooking him. He is still a valuable prospect.

Besides "it's his time," what other reason do you have as why Jarrod Saltalamacchia deserves time as the starting catcher over Taylor Teagarden?
-- Darrell B., Keller, Texas

Saltalamacchia, 23, has played in 154 games at the Major League level and hit .261 with 14 home runs and 59 RBIs over two seasons. If a rookie catcher had that kind of a season in his first year in the Majors, a team would be eager to see more of him. His defensive skills need to get better, but that's why the Rangers need to see him play regularly. His progress, his talent and his performance to this point merit more consideration.

When will the Rangers brass learn to spend something on some pitching? Tell them to get our hitters some help.
-- James T., Fort Worth, Texas

The Rangers' five starters at the beginning of last season -- Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Jason Jennings, Kason Gabbard and Luis Mendoza -- had a combined salary of approximately $28 million. The Angels' five starters were at $20.5 million. Oakland was somewhere around $10.5 million and the Mariners were at approximately $34 million. The Rangers simply had no answer for the Angels' home-grown talent of John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver. At some point, somebody has to grasp that concept.

Are there any possible non-roster invitees that could be brought in to compete at third with Travis Metcalf?
-- Matt E., Ada, Okla.

It's a thin field. Joe Crede is available, but there are concerns about his back. The most interesting name is Morgan Ensberg, who hit .283 with a .388 on-base percentage and a .557 slugging percentage for the Astros in 2005. But his numbers have slipped to .230 with a .357 on-base percentage and a .419 slugging percentage over the past three years. He might be worth a look.

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:

Are there any internal discussions about moving Neftali Feliz back to the bullpen to not only get him to the big leagues quicker but maybe groom him as the future closer?
-- Jacob L., Allen, Texas

Feliz needs as many innings as possible to keep learning how to pitch. At some point, he may prove to be better suited to the bullpen, but top prospects need to pitch as much as possible in the Minors. Any switch can be made later.

I am just wondering why Josh Hamilton is making such a low amount of money. He has done so much for this team.
-- Beverly H., Lewisville, Texas

Players aren't eligible for arbitration until they have three years in the Majors. Until then, their salaries are tightly controlled by the team. Hamilton has just two years. Once he finishes his third year, his salary is going to escalate rapidly.

What do you think it would take for the Rangers to land Ben Sheets.
-- Tony B., Odessa, Texas

Nobody knows. The Rangers can afford to be patient with an unusual glut of free-agent pitchers on the market. By January and February, there will be players taking less money and less years. Maybe Sheets will prefer a one-year deal near his home in Louisiana and go back on the market next year, when there figures to be fewer big-name free-agent pitchers.

How do you feel about the prospect of signing Mark Mulder to a one- or two-year contract for cheap and seeing if he could get back to what he was in Oakland.
-- Tyler D., Lubbock, Texas

The Rangers pursued Mulder two years ago, and he spurned them for the Cardinals. Undoubtedly, the Rangers will eventually sign one or two free-agent pitchers like that, if not Mulder.

With Victor Rojas now leaving the Rangers' radio broadcast for the MLB Network, who in your opinion will be replacing him? Could it possibly be Rusty Greer?
-- Chris S., Pampa, Texas

Greer would be an excellent analyst. The problem on radio is the need for somebody who can do at least three innings of play-by-play. Greer has never done that, although a significant number of former players ultimately became quite good at it.

Lately, it seems the Rangers are only stockpiling young arms in the Minors, and somewhat ignoring the position players. I understand the logic to an extent, but doesn't that create a different problem for the future?
-- Robert C., Denton, Texas

The Rangers are fine on position players in the middle of the diamond but have a shortage of offensive firepower in the Minors. Justin Smoak helps with that.

What are the chances of Brian Gordon being a starter for the Rangers some time during the season? He has done well as a starter in winter ball and in the Minors when he is given the chance.
-- Clayton H., Robinson, Texas

Less than one percent, which was about the same chance Scott Feldman had of being in the Rangers rotation at this time last year.

I'm a member of a high school band in the Dallas area, and I was wondering how to get in touch with somebody about playing the national anthem at a home game.
-- Andrew M., Forney, Texas

The Rangers will hold auditions in the spring. Contact Sherry Flow at sflow@texasrangers.com.