SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus showed up at spring training Thursday with spiked hair and two years remaining on his contract with the Rangers.
Andrus said the hair situation will change as soon as he takes a shower. The contract situation figures to take much longer as the 24-year-old inches closer to free agency.
Andrus didn't seem too concerned about it Thursday.
"I feel good," said Andrus, who signed a three-year extension through 2014 before last season. "I'm not trying to think too much about it. I've still got two more years on my contract and I just focus on that. I've been hearing a lot of things, a lot of rumors. That's part of the game."
The two-time All-Star is represented by Scott Boras, who has a reputation for letting his clients test the free-agent market. Andrus hasn't ruled out the possibility of getting something done with Texas before that.
"We're still in talks," Andrus said. "Like I said a few weeks ago, we've got to be on the same page. We're still talking. I'm just worried about preparing myself for the season."
Andrus said the decision on where he plays when his contract is up ultimately comes down to him. He also hinted that there wouldn't be a hometown discount from the Rangers because his situation is different. Andrus has no family in Texas, and his ties to the state ends with the organization.
"A lot of those guys are married and have kids," Andrus said. "For me it's a little different. I'm still super young. I have no wife, no kids. I don't really have something to maintain myself. I'm going to continue and just let the things flow."
