"As the season goes on, those guys might be the right options.”

...he had a few comments that actually inform speculation. After providing general praise for Mike Napoli, he had this to say about the possibility of bringing Napoli back for 2016:

"Mike probably fits us best if there is another move that opens some playing time.”

emphasis is mine, of course.  My interpretation is that Napoli, unsurprisingly, does not want a platoon role.  This is probably why his agent announced right after the playoffs ended that Napoli would like to explore catching again in 2016.  Considering the Rangers catcher plan seems to be to role with Chirinos and Gimenez until they can swing a trade for or signing of a good catcher*, I would say the implication that Daniels was happy to put out was that Fielder, and more importantly, Moreland, are available.  How Daniels is picturing the lineup working out in that situation I'm not clear...Jeff Banister was intent over the final month of the season in getting Fielder, Moreland and Napoli all into the lineup at the same time.  Notably however, Moreland was more likely to sit than Napoli.

*Texas put out some information to the media (or somebody leaked) that the Rangers were pursuing a backup catcher before the contract tender deadline.  Considering the number of quality backup backstops that got released or traded for nothing, I'm calling bullshit on that rumor.  Texas was and is looking for a quality trade.  It is possible however that Texas was just not able to work out a deal for some of these guys with their current team, and may be pursuing a trade with their new teams.  Texas signed Gimenez to a contract at the last minute, but it seems clear that the Rangers view Gimenez as depth.

About Josh Hamilton:

"We’ll have to construct the roster in such a way that we can give him some time off and anticipate he might miss some time.”

No "if" this time.  This seems to indicate that Daniels is definitely planning on Hamilton being a starter next year, although likely not for more than 100 games.

JD also intimated that if another team wants Elvis Andrus, they better be in love with him.  Colby has been cleared by team doctor Keith Meister, and both parties are interested in a new contract.  I predict this will be more dramatic than it needs to be.  Colby is a back-end starter with surprising, small-sample-size durability.  Unfortunately, a few of those guys have received 8 figure deals the last couple of years; and Texas would much rather be playing in the low-7-figure range.

Something Jon Daniels *didn't* talk about is the fact that Cliff Lee has been cleared to pitch again.  *Somebody* will give him a cheap contract with a ton of incentives.  I wouldn't mind if it was Texas, but a strongly suspect it'll be St. Louis.  **** St. Louis.

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