The most passionate questions continue to surround Ian Kinsler and the leadoff spot. The second baseman has quickly become the target of ire since Chris Davis was demoted to Triple-A earlier this month.

The following came from Matt in Fort Worth: "How much hell do the natives have to raise in order to get Kinsler out of the leadoff spot? In five at-bats Sunday, he saw 11 pitches. David Murphy saw 26 in one less at-bat. The solution is right in manager Ron Washington's face, yet he refuses to change. This is what gets managers fired."

Bob in Murphy took exception to last week's edition of the Kinsler-featured newsletter and calls moving him out of the top spot "an absolute layup."

It's not a layup, and Washington isn't getting fired because of the way he sticks with Kinsler.

Bob, unlike the newsletter, believes the rest of the lineup might start hitting consistently with Murphy and Michael Young in the top two spots.

Kinsler's base running won't be missed because "he can't run if he's not on base." And hitting sixth or seventh, Kinsler will get to hit with runners on base.

Here's the final answer from Washington on this matter, at least until next week or barring a trade for a leadoff guy (say, Marco Scutaro):

"I don't have anyone to replace him with. Someone asked me, 'Why don't you move Kins down to fifth?' Well, if he's not swinging the bat in the first spot, I'm going to move him down to an RBI area? No.

"He's my leadoff guy. I'm going take him good or bad. I'm going to try this second half to give him some rest when I can, but he's a fighter and a battler. He's got to learn to work through things."

Q: The Mariners seem to have fallen out of contention in the AL West after losing three straight to the Indians and losing Erik Bedard to injury for the second time this season after missing most of last season. At this point, they are rumored to be listening to offers for Jarrod Washburn, who is putting together his best year since 2002, when he went 18-6 with a 3.15 ERA. Would the Rangers be interested in Washburn, who is in the last year of his contract? Would the price be too high or is it just too hard to make trades like this in the division?

Doug, Seattle

WILSON: It's tough to call Seattle a seller after it traded for Jack Wilson and Ian Snell on Wednesday. Everyone will know the Mariners' true intentions Friday afternoon, when the trade deadline passes.

Washburn won't be coming to Arlington. He will add to the payroll, which is strike one against a trade for him, and the Rangers don't want to trade prospects within the division.

Q: My question is regarding C.J. Wilson. His stuff is above average, he has a nice fastball with good movement to go along with a devastating slider and an improving changeup. Is there a chance we might see him starting in the next year or two, or should the Rangers not mess with something that isn't broken?

Daniel, Costa Rica

WILSON: Wilson would probably jump at the chance to start, but the Rangers have a top-level, left-handed reliever that every club hopes to have. Wilson also knows that he can create a long, lucrative career as long as he continues to throw left-handed and in relief. He has many interests off the field, and they require some extra money. Financial considerations aside, he also takes pride in what he does and works hard to be good. It's paying off this season.

Q: How long do the Rangers have control over the following players: Scott Feldman, David Murphy, Josh Hamilton, C.J. Wilson, Frank Francisco and Jarrod Saltalamacchia?

Patrick, Haltom City

WILSON: Players must have six full seasons in the major leagues before they are eligible for free agency. Francisco is first up, with next season being his last year before he can be a free agent.

The order after Francisco is: Wilson (after 2011), Hamilton (after 2012), Feldman (after 2013) and Saltalamacchia and Murphy (after 2014).

Q: Do you mind filling us in on what Jason Jennings' contract status is?

Zeke, Austin

WILSON: Jennings was signed to a minor-league deal in February, and that became a one-year, $800,000 deal when the Rangers purchased his contract in April. So, he is free to leave after the season and might if he wants to be a starting pitcher again. But he is also from the area and has developed into one of the Rangers' top relievers. There should be interest from both sides on keeping a good thing going next season.

Q: How is Eric Hurley's rehab going? Any update on Ben Sheets? Initially, the report was Sheets would be ready after the All-Star break. Any word? And are the Rangers staying in touch?

Rick, Burkburnett

WILSON: Hurley is about to resume throwing after taking a little time off with what has been described as typical tendinitis associated with rotator-cuff surgery. The expectation is that he will be 100 percent for the start of spring training.

There's nothing new on Sheets, who is rehabbing with 2010 in mind. That doesn't mean 2009 is a wash, but the Rangers aren't expecting to see the right-hander this season. The Rangers and Sheets will talk in the off-season.

Q: Most of the Rangers seem to be free swingers. Michael Young leads the team in on-base percentage, followed by David Murphy. Who are the top three Rangers regulars in terms of pitches seen per plate appearance?

Charlie, Dallas

WILSON: Entering Wednesday, David Murphy led the team at 4.14 pitches per appearance, followed by Chris Davis (4.00), Andruw Jones (3.93), Nelson Cruz (3.88) and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (3.85).

The bottom three were Michael Young (3.66), Hank Blalock (3.65) and Marlon Byrd (3.62), but that trio had combined for 42 homers and 138 RBIs.

Q: With Ruben Sierra going into the Rangers Hall of Fame, can you find out what ever happened to Luis Mayoral? Wondering if he'll be around for the induction ceremony.

Mike, Dallas

WILSON: Mayoral still lives in the area and works with some Latin players throughout baseball, though he has no involvement with the Rangers. Ties with the club were broken when he left with Juan Gonzalez to Detroit. If he's at the induction ceremony Saturday, it'll be as a fan.

Q1: Don Wakamatsu has done a terrific job as manager of the Mariners. I don't think anyone expected them to stick around in the AL West race as long as they have, and his players play very hard for him, too. Maybe the Rangers made a mistake passing him up for Ron Washington?

Q2: Would you please clarify why July 31 is such a big deal in trading for a player? Can't a trade be made after that date?

Chip, Houston

WILSON: 1. Wakamatsu has done a good job, no doubt. He has unified a clubhouse that had been described as lacking harmony before he arrived. But that's what Washington has done – just ask any player about how great clubhouse chemistry is – and the Rangers haven't gone away either. In fact, they've opened quite a cushion over the Mariners in the West. I don't see a mistake.

2. Friday is the last time a player can be traded without first clearing waivers. It's the non-waiver deadline. A player can be traded the rest of the season if he clears waivers, but he must be on his new team's active roster by Sept. 1 to be eligible for the postseason.