The Texas Rangers and right handed pitcher Shelby Miller have agreed to a one year deal according to multiple sources.
“We see this as a chance to add a relatively young power pitcher to the staff,” Jon Daniels told MLB.com. “Healthy now after rehabbing last year, we think Shelby has more in the tank, and are excited to see him work with our staff this year.”
Miller is coming off multiple injuries and is expected to be ready to go by spring training. Since the 2016 season, Miller has not had a healthy season, and it has showed. He pitched only 139 innings and had an ERA north of six. The club expects him to make a difference in the rotation. The Rangers now have a full rotation with Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, Shelby Miller, Edinson Volquez and Drew Smyly.
The Rangers are trying to avoid arbitration with two of their young stars, Delino DeShields and Nomar Mazara. Daniels and crew would like to have the negotiations and contracts finished by today. If they cannot come to an agreement, the arbitration hearings will be scheduled for February.
“[Avoid a hearing] is always the goal,” Daniels said according to TexasRangers.com. “We’ve had conversations. All things being equal, you’d rather have a negotiated settlement.”
Hopefully the Rangers will be willing to pay what the players are willing to accept. Arbitration is not the end of the world, but it is also never a really pleasant process. We will have to see how it ends tonight.
Scott Heineman has been selected as the Tom Grieve minor league player of the year. Heineman is expected to see time with the big league club in 2019. Heineman spent almost all of last season at Triple-A Round Rock. He hit .295 with 68 runs scored, 11 home runs and 57 RBI in 107 games played. He had a .355 on-base percentage and a .429 slugging percentage, and he was added to the 40-man roster in November.
