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I think the key to the GM job is to eliminate black holes, while preserving the chance of being pleasantly surprised by a young players development.  This is why Jack Wilson is likely to be back, because what is the pleasant surprise scenario at SS?  We have one at third, we have one in LF, but we are barren in the middle infield.  You could make the argument that we have a chance of being pleasantly surprised at first base/DH with Carp, but I think the benefit of getting a moderately priced MLB hitter like Branyan or Nick Johnson out weighs the risk of blocking Lahair and Carp.  If you want to sign Beltre or his equivalent, the cost in years and dollars is much higher.  That is why you give Tui more of an opportunity than you give Carp.
On the pitching side, I would entertain offers to Sheets, Bedard, and Harden, with Harden being my first choice.  Note that batters made contact on only 67.3% of their swings against Harden, lowest in the majors for starting pitchers (batters made contact on 77% of pitches against Felix, for instance).