And that means it's officially okay to devote excess time to possible trades. 

And with this team, the trading season will likely be a hot point of contention.  You have a young team with tons of talent on the farm that is competing a year (or even two depending on who you ask) earlier than they were supposed to.

So what do you do?  Who/What do you target?  Who is untouchable?

Warning: What follows is lengthy and a subject I know some like to avoid.  Enter at your own risk.

First thing is first, identifying who it is that you will not/can not deal:

The guys in Arlington- Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Nelson Cruz, Derek Holland, Frank Francisco, CJ Wilson, Elvis Andrus

The guys worth more to you than a trading partner- Kevin Millwood, Scott Feldman, Matt Harrison, Darren O'Day

The Guys on the Farm- Neftali Feliz, Justin Smoak, Martin Perez

I included Ian, Josh, Dutch, FX2, and Elvis for obvious reasons.  MY is on their because of the contract and the FOTF status.  Cruz has been everything we have hoped for and one of the only consistent guys we have.  CJ made my list because no matter how much he makes your butt cheeks pucker, he is a huge part of that bullpen.  Milly made the second list because he has been the embodiment of this new regime and the guy the Rangers paid big bucks for.  Feldman because he is the most underappreciated Ranger in the history of the frnachise.  Harrison because another team would not likely accept him as a centerpiece and his left handedness is sexy...even if he does cry.  And Mr. O'Day because he is the true savior of this franchise.  I'm sure it would be easy to rustle up some other untouchables from the farm, but those three guys stand out above anyone else I can come up with.

Next, where are your surpluses:

Catchers- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden, Max Ramirez, Manny Pina

Outfielders- David Murphy, Marlon Byrd, Brandon Boggs, Andruw Jones

MIFers- Joaquin Arias, Jose Vallejo, Omar Vizquel, Marcus Lemon

Minor League Arms- Too many to list

Unfortunately, all three of those four catchers' values are down from where they were this offseason.  It's almost a situation where a team like a Boston or New York would have to get desperate or a non-contending team covet one of those guys in any deal.  If the Rangers just went out and shopped those guys, they would not likely get anything resembling equal value.  Byrd, Boggs, and Jones obviously have limited value to another team and would fetch a low level prospect or be part of a bigger deal.  Murphy may entice someone as a secondary piece, but his approach would be missed with the way this offense is going.  With Ian and Elvis up the middle, all you have to do is identify your long term utility guy and the rest of those guys become available.  Vallejo has the most value, but is likely the answer to the utility role in the future.  The big time chips for the Rangers are clearly their minor league arms.  Adding Scheppers and Purke just deepens those pools.  Guys like Font, Boscan, Kiker, Main, Beavan, etc., etc., etc. have the chance to fetch very nice pieces.

Lastly, where are your needs:

Bullpen- A lefty to replace Eddie, a power arm to go with FX2 and CJ

1B/DH- Davis may need time at AAA or at the least a platoon partner, Blalock and Jones leave something to be desired

OBP Guy- This horse has been beaten, no need to summarize again

Cheap Starter- Halladay, Lee, Oswalt...not happening if you ask me.  Any SP would be for depth

It would be nice to see if AJ Murray could replace Eddie...or if they will let anyone replace Eddie.  Another power arm would change the complexion of that pen, pushing Jennings, O'Day, and Grilli back into roles that suit them even better.  The Davis connundrum has been discussed ad nauseum, my two cents included.  OBP has also been delved into quite deeply around here.  I don't see a deal for a TORG happening for the Rangers, or any team for that matter...but maybe I'm just listening to the talking heads too much.  I would be all for a depth add...like El Duque...but better.

So now, who makes sense?  What players fill the needs of the Rangers, and what do the Rangers have to offer to the teams currently employing said players? I'm just here to throw out the names.  I'll leave the talk about what it would take to get him to the experts.

1B/DH Nick Johnson- Yes, he is injury prone.  Yes, he costs some money.  Yes, the Nationals will command a nice return for him.  But....Yes, he is an OBP machine.  Yes, he can play 1B and DH.  Currently sporting a .412 OBP and a .961 OPS against LHP.  He will be a sought after player as the market heats up.  Makes sense as he feels a need but is gone next year so he doesn't block Davis or Smoak.

LHP Joe Beimel- Bullpen arm who could be a Mahay-esque add similar to the Tex trade.  Obviously Johnson/Beimel wouldn't get anything close to that haul, but the same idea applies here.  Beimel has brought his ERA down by 2 runs over the past month.  If the Rangers don't have an internal answer for a bullpen lefty, he would be a guy worth looking at.

LHP Ron Villone- Same idea as Beimel, just older and cheaper in terms of what it takes.  Sporting a 1.80 ERA in 20 innings this year with a 1.35 WHIP and a .213 BAA.

1B/DH Lyle Overbay- The Jays would have to fall out of it to move him, but if they do, he would be a good get.  Owner of a .921 OPS this season and solid defense at 1B.  Expensive at almost $7 million this year and next.  Would block one of Davis/Smoak/Ramirez in 2010.

LHP Jonathan Sanchez- This would be a buy low move and these two teams have been linked over the past year.  Sanchez is not having much good said about him this year and not sure where the match would be as far as a bat for SF.  This wouldn't be a season altering deal, but he would be a guy you could plug in as the long man and see what Maddux can do with him.

RHP Heath Bell- This guy is having a phenomenal year and would be a costly pick up.  And, if Frankie is healthy, you are picking him up as an 8th inning guy, but paying for him as a closer.  Would be a huge lift for the pen and allow everyone to slide back one inning making a formiddable 7th/8th/9th combo of O'Day, CJ, Bell, and FX2.

RHP Cla Meredith- Jayson Stark touched on him as a guy the Pads could move and he could be a nice pickup.  Good, not overpowering numbers from a guy with good, not overpowering stuff.  If you can get him at what you deem fair value, he is an improvement in the pen.

1B/DH Adrian Gonzalez- Just Kidding

LHP John Grabow- From all reports, the Pirates will do their usual strip mining.  Grabow is solid from the left side and would be a huge improvement over Eddie.  With a guy like this, it's really about not giving up too much to get him because while he could help, he is not the missing piece.

RHP Ian Snell- Apparently, the Rangers are one of the teams in on him, and like Sanchez this would be a buy low move.  He won't be the savior, but would be depth and a better alternative in the long role than the OKC rotating door.

1B/DH Adam LaRoche- Same situation as Nick Johnson.  He is a FA after the year making $7 million this year.  Good BA/OBP separation with decent enough power.  His .835 OPS looks heavenly by comparisons sake.  His swing would play well at RBPIA too.  Probably cheaper than Johnson given the buzz around Johnson and there are some combo trades available with the Pirates much like the Nady/Marte deal last year. 

RHP LaTroy Hawkins- If the Astros decide to move some guys, he would fit the power arm role.  Ripped off some 95-96 mph fastballs today.  Another guy where it is all about how cost effective the move could be.

RHP Kiko Calero- Stings a little.  39 Ks in 31.1 innings with a 2.01 ERA.  Has the slider working big time.  Not sure if the Marlins move him, and if they overvalue him in the instance they do shop him.  But, he would be a nice addition to the pen.

Obviously, there are more guys to look at...especially if teams like the Rockies, Indians, Royals, Blue Jays, Orioles, etc. decide to sell off some pieces.  This is just a quick list of some guys that seem to fit the bill for the Rangers.  For the Rangers, and Rangers fans, it's a matter of weighing the depth of your system against the impact of the player/s you would be receiving.  This is a weird place to be as a Rangers fan.  Knowing that the future is bright...but wanting to add for the present at the same time.

I know some of you get beat down by trade talk and random trade suggestions from message board GMs...but I couldn't help myself.  For those of you who like the trade talk, what are your opinions as far as what you would be willing to give...and who you would be wanting to get.