A Quick Colby Lewis Update

Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Colby Lewis and the Rangers have had some extension talks( somewhat like the rest of the “core”). I thought about this a lot longer than I should have and am still at a conundrum.

Lewis was 14-10 with a 4.40 ERA in 2011, having pitched most of the season with a hip injury. He was a much better pitcher on the road than at home. He was 5-5 with a 5.54 ERA at home and 9-5 with a 3.43 ERA on the road. Also, he pitched extremely well in the playoffs the past two years. He got a no-decision in both of his 2011 World Series starts as the Rangers pulled out a 2-1 win in Game 2, but lost in dramatic fashion in Game 6. Last year, Lewis won Games 2 and 6 of the ALCS and was on the mound for the club’s only World Series win in Game 3.

First off, I am a huge fan of Colby. He walks to the mound day after day and gives everything he has, and is almost unhittable in October. What I’m having a problem with is this: With Colby getting a bit older and a bit more expensive, are his numbers something The Rangers can replicate with a younger, cheaper, more viable option down at AAA? Is a 4.40 ERA something that the FO needs to spend a little cash to keep around, or can someone like Martin Perez replicate those numbers for way cheaper? I’d love to hear some other thoughts on this. Never. Enough. Baseball. Until next time, Go Rangers.