Think the message was likely made clear to Norris before he signed..."We can absolutely use a veteran to compete and provide a good example about how to prepare and other intangibles for these kids, and we'll guarantee you a spot in the rotation to START the season in April. How long you keep it will be entirely dependent on THREE things...
1.) How well you pitch.
2.) Whether someone's interested in trading for you if you get off to a hot start.
3.) When our "future" dictates to us that the future is now - even if that's before June.
"Don't think you'll be here if you're not pitching well - we're *issing a lot more than $2.5 million away on other players (Bourn and Swisher) who are going to be shown the door as soon as their replacements are ready."