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Texas Rangers Roundup: Can Texas Survive Without Darvish

By Lisa Weatherall

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Last week the Texas Rangers received news that Yu Darvish has a torn UCL in his throwing elbow and he is weighing his options. This seems to be the only thing everyone is talking about. Not just local writers but writers across the nation.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports  writes “…but without Darvish, which team exactly will the Rangers beat out in the AL West?” I’m not understanding how exactly one player is the be-all-end-all for an entire team. This certainly is a devastating blow, however, I think everyone needs a swift reminder that the Rangers have more than one player on the roster that can be relied upon. Rosenthal goes on to say “Any talk of a Rangers revival in ’15 began with the expectation of Darvish producing his usual brilliance in his age 28 season. And now that expectation is gone.” Well, I for one am not ready to say the season is lost, only that it will take more effort to get the job done.

Of course, it seems many writers are wanting to place a band-aid on the issue by suggesting who the Texas Rangers should make a trade for, many at the expense of the club’s top prospects. But, many fans are more concerned with actual money – as in the $10 million Yu Darvish is owed for this season alone.

Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports the Rangers do indeed have an insurance policy on Darvish’s contract, and if he undergoes surgery the club could get about half of his salary back. Which could potentially open a door to add another top-tier pitcher to the rotation, as Grant writes “The extra financial flexibility could be a factor if the Rangers do re-engage Philadelphia about ace lefty Cole Hamels. Hamels, 31, is scheduled to make $23.5 million this season and is guaranteed $100 million over the next four seasons; the commitment to him could grow to $118 million over five years if he locks in a vesting option for the 2019 season.”

If only Darvish could pitch left-handed. Wait, he can! Obviously he will never pitch as a lefty professionally, this is still a great video to watch.

Since fans were unable to watch the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics (4-1) on Monday, let’s stay with the pitching theme and Evan Grant. Grant explains how right-handed reliever Keone Kela impressed in his one inning pitched “Power right-hander Keone Kela had a very impressive inning in his first outing of spring, ranging up to 96 mph with his fastball. But he made more jaws drop with a changeup. Kela finished off his 11-pitch inning with a swing-and-miss changeup – an 89 mph changeup – to Luke Carlin.” Texas fans who are familiar with Kela were among those whose jaws dropped because Kela is known to NOT have a changeup in his pitching repertoire.

If you missed anything from the Nolan Writin’ team recently, here are some good reads:

Projecting the Rangers Rotation One Week Into Spring Training – Jason Burke

Expectations of Shin-Soo Choo – Ryan Anness

Fielder Motivated After Two Tough Season – Leslie Monteiro

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