Why The the Texas Rangers Find it Difficulty Bringing in a Free Agent Starter.
We've entered the year 2024 and are approaching the initial milestone of the baseball season: the reporting of pitchers and catchers.The Rangers' winter has been brief and relatively quiet in terms of acquisitions. While the club secured a couple of veteran relievers, it also witnessed the departure of two iconic catchers and a seasoned starter to free agency.When examining the current roster of the Texas Rangers, a few aspects stand out, with one notable question being the starting pitching situation.
As of today, the Texas Rangers’ rotation would consist of Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Dane Dunning, Andrew Heaney, and an unidentified fifth pitcher. The team currently lacks a fifth starter, or at least an established one. The Rangers have the option of exploring free agency or evaluating internal candidates from their organization and farm system during Spring Training.
One name in free agency that has been frequently mentioned is postseason-experienced Jordan Montgomery. Initially, a reunion between Montgomery and the Rangers seemed unlikely, but recent reports suggest a growing possibility of the two parties coming together. While other options like Brandon Woodruff, Alex Wood, Marcus Stroman, and more are available, acquiring a free-agent or higher-tier starter might prove more challenging than expected. If all goes according to plan, the Rangers’ starting rotation could see a significant upgrade by midseason. Both Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer are anticipated to return from injuries, with deGrom recovering from Tommy John surgery and Scherzer addressing a herniated disc.
This potential reinforcement in the rotation could explain why General Manager Chris Young hasn’t been as aggressive in the offseason as in previous years. The hope is that by August, the Rangers’ rotation will feature deGrom, Scherzer, Eovaldi, Gray, and Dunning, or possibly another addition at a more favorable price during the trade deadline.
Conversely, for transitional starters (those often moving between teams on one-year deals), joining the Rangers may not be the most attractive option. Players seeking a stable spot in the rotation might be hesitant, considering the likelihood of being moved to the bullpen or leaving the team by August. While signing a veteran on a one-year or minor league deal is probable before pitchers and catchers report, the Rangers may also consider options from their farm system during Spring Training, including Owen White, Cole Winn, Jake Latz, and possibly Cody Bradford.
In the previous season, the Rangers ranked seventh in starting pitching with a 3.96 ERA, marking a significant improvement from 2022 when they ranked sixth-worst with a 4.63 ERA. With offensive powerhouses returning, having a durable starter with around 100 innings and a 4.00 ERA could be sufficient for the Rangers to enter the 2024 season. However, assuming everyone stays healthy for seven months is unrealistic, especially after a shortened offseason. While the Texas Rangers are in a decent position as of January, further moves can be expected in the next 45 days.
Nonetheless, a major splash in the starting pitching department outside of a potential acquisition like Jordan Montgomery may not be imminent this offseason, echoing Chris Young’s mantra that “You can never have enough starting pitching.”
