There is plenty of trade speculation surrounding Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus.
Rumors about potential trades to big market clubs in need of a shortstop, such as the New York Yankees, heated up at the just completed GM meetings in Phoenix.
Rangers GM Jon Daniels, fresh of a receiving a three-year contract extension, said the club is committed to Andrus.
"Yeah, there's going to be speculation, that's the nature of the business and the nature of our side of the business and (the media's) side of the business," Daniels said Friday. "Nothing you can really do about that. We are obviously committed to Elvis both figuratively and literally. He's 25, 26 years old, and this guy's best baseball is ahead of him."
Will that stop the potential trade talk?
Here are some factors in play if Andrus were moved:
1. Contract. He starts an eight-year, $120 million contract extension in 2015 and he'll receive $15 million in salary for the next six seasons. Is a team willing to pay that?
2. Prospects/veterans. If the Rangers trade Andrus you want a veteran pitcher and maybe one or two prospects. The pitcher has to be somebody ready to become the No. 3 man in the rotation now and the prospects should be at worst a year away from joining the big club.
3. Replacement. Who would take over at shortstop? Rougned Odor was the starting second baseman in 2014 and the club envisions him at that position only. Jurickson Profar, who missed the season due to shoulder problems, can play short, but there's no guarantee he can return from his health issues. He was shut down twice rehabbing his shoulder, and although he's doing range of motion exercises his status to make the Opening Day roster is uncertain. Luis Sardinas, another shortstop, is a year away from playing in the big leagues.
4. Andrus' poor 2014 season. Andrus had career-lows in batting average (.263) and on-base percentage (.314) and had just 163 hits last season after producing 180 in 2012. Is this the sign of things to come for such a young player?
"He's very much focused, motivated, whatever the word is to put last year behind him and out to prove he's one of the best shortstops in the game, which I believe he is," Daniels said.