The Texas Rangers used a large group of starters in 2014, 15 different pitchers to be exact. If the Rangers can get Colby Lewis signed and back in the fold, they will have 3/5 of the rotation figured out.
1. Yu Darvish
3. Colby Lewis
I am definitely not sure that Colby would be the number 3 guy, but for now with the other options being guys like Nick Tepesch, Nick Martinez, Lisalverto Bonilla, Robbie Ross and other young arms just to name a few, I think Colby would be the number 3 guy if the Rangers only picked from within. I do not think they will.
It appears that Philly may be willing to deal Cliff Lee or Cole Hamels, but it appears that Hamels may be headed to the Dodgers according to multiple reports on the web, plus I am not sure that the Rangers want to take on that contract. Cliff Lee probably does not want to return to Texas. Other guys out there via the free agent market include Max Scherzer, who I think would cost too much, but he is a great pitcher. Not even sure if he would be interested in coming to Texas, but he is out there. Jon Lester is out there, and the rumor mill has been quiet on him so far, but it is only early December. He has been a great pitcher, but he was apart of the imploding A’s at the end of last season. Jeff Samardzija may be on the trading block for the A’s who seem to be attempting to rebuild this season, but I don’t know that they would be willing to help bolster the Rangers pitching staff without a significant return of prospects. I am not sure that the Texas Rangers could get a deal done for Samardzija. Big Game James Shields is out there, we will have to see but the Rangers are not on the list (right now) of teams that are interested in James. Doesn’t mean that won’t change at some point.
I don’t think that the Texas Rangers are going to go out and pick up a big named pitcher. I think they may try on a few that won’t cost them an arm and a leg. I personally would like to see a free agent signing and maybe Nick Martinez round out the rotation, or maybe Tepesch depending on who has a better spring, we will just have to wait and see what happens with the rest of the off season.
