SportsDay's Rangers insider Evan Grant will periodically answer questions about the club and baseball during the offseason. If you have questions for Evan, tweet them to him at @Evan_P_Grant. Here are some of the highlights:

Q: What does your gut tell you about Yu Darvish's future with the Rangers beyond this season?

A: There was a point this fall where I was pretty optimistic about it, but that has waned.

I got the strong impression that Darvish was very open to discussing an extension and that there was a logical framework of about $30 million per year and 5-6 years around which to work. But I've gotten no information that the sides have had any serious conversations this winter. Perhaps they re-engage with renewed dedication this spring, but that's a big contract to try and negotiate during spring training.

I got some indication that perhaps the Rangers were holding off and saving all resources to make a run at Shohei Otani, the next great thing to come from Japan, but now it seems less likely that Otani will come to the U.S. for 2018.

Here's the bottom line on this thing: I believe that if you sign a pitcher to a five-year deal or longer, you better be prepared that you are going to pay for at least one year in which the pitcher will either not participate or will underperform badly. Especially when the pitcher is going to be in his 30s throughout the length of the contract. All that said, I am convinced to my core, that Darvish has all the marks of the outlier in this. He's already gone through Tommy John and his arm should be healthy for the foreseeable future. He's grown more comfortable in this clubhouse, this community and with himself as a pitcher.

He is a freak when it comes to taking care of himself and his body. And he's almost obsessive compulsive when it comes to learning about the game and making himself a better pitcher.

The Rangers have had some bad results with big deals for guys in their 30s. In general, they are wise to steer clear. Darvish, I believe, is the exception.

Q: Assuming Darvish, Hamels, Ross and Cashner fill the first four starter spots, who is the fifth starter?

A: Think you are overlooking Martin Perez here. And overlooking him greatly.

He pitched 198.2 innings last year and that was a big step forward. On the Ballzy Podcast, we recently spoke at length with pitching coach Doug Brocail about what Perez's next step must be. The short story: He's got to get a little more efficient with his pitch counts and to remain a little more unpredictable on the mound. If Perez builds on what he did last year, he's a No. 3 type starter pitching in the No. 4 slot. And it gives the Rangers the ability to have an advantage over almost every opponent at every spot in the rotation.

To wit: Whether it's Yu Darvish or Cole Hamels at No. 1, the Rangers have a legit No. 1 starter in the top spot and a legit a No. 1 in the second spot. Tyson Ross has the ability to be a No. 2 quality starter and he'd be in the No. 3 spot, Perez No. 3 ability in the No. 4 spot and Cashner has No. 3 ability in the No. 5 spot. Beyond that, the Rangers have solid end-of-the-rotation depth options in Dillon Gee and A.J. Griffin.

Q: How do you think Jonathan Lucroy will affect the Rangers' staff with a full season to work with everyone?

A: Working with starting pitchers and game-planning is about relationships and familiarity. He will have more of that this year and will have more time to prepare. And he's in his free agent year. I think he's primed to have his best season in the majors. Rangers pitchers had a 4.37 ERA for the season and 4.39 with Lucroy behind the plate. It was 4.89 with Robinson Chirinos.

Not sure that catchers' ERA is completely relevant, but I do think a healthier, deeper pitching staff and more time to prepare will help Lucroy (and Chirinos) get the most out of them. I expect the pitching staff ERA to dip this year. A big part of that will be due to the pitchers, but I think both catchers will help enhance the improvement.

Twitter: @Evan_P_Grant