Texas Rangers: 5 Bullpen Options for the Rangers in 2017

Sean Doolittle

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Sean Doolittle would be a wonderful pickup for the Rangers. Doolittle is a former All-Star and is coming off a strong 2016 campaign with Oakland.

In 2016 Doolittle went 2-3 3.23 ERA in 44 games with 4 saves. The former All-Star closer has 33 career saves, but would not be the closer in Texas. He would be an adequate replacement for Diekman though.

Doolittle has five years of Major League experience and could be a lock-down member of the Rangers bullpen. Doolittle has experience as a set-up type pitcher with 60 career holds and the prior closer work is an extra bonus.

Signed through 2018 with an option for 2019 and 2020 Doolittle is a long-term investment. Owed $2.6 million in 2017 and owed $4.3 million in 2018, a small salary for an elite pitcher if Doolittle can stay healthy.

The Athletics are rebuilding their organization and Doolittle could be a piece Oakland attempts to move for prospects. Heading into his age 30 season, Doolittle is likely not going to be part of the Athletics future. A possible trade with Texas makes sense for both organizations.

This transaction would mean the Rangers could have Doolittle until at least 2019. Diekman should only be out until about mid-season of 2017. Although no one has ever complained about having too much depth.

Doolittle is a strong left-handed option for the 7th or 8th inning. He also could be a potential option as closer if needed. The Rangers might have to give up a bit more than they want to, but Doolittle is an elite left-handed bullpen piece.

Xavier Cedeno

A stellar 2016 campaign could lead Xavier Cedeno to Texas in 2017. Cedeno was one of the best left-handed relief pitchers last season with the Tampa Bay Rays. He quietly had a great season and could be a steal for the Rangers.

In 2016 Cedeno went 3-4 3.70 ERA in 54 games with the Rays. He only allowed 2 home runs in 41.1 innings and struck out 43 batters. Cedeno is coming off back-to-back strong seasons and has put himself as one of the best left-handed options in the league.

Cedeno is not eligible for free agency until 2020 which is going to make him more difficult to obtain. The Rays are not going to give Cedeno up for nothing as they want to win now too.

The Rangers have the prospects to get a done deal, but will it be worth it? Diekman should be back by mid-season and the Rangers could sign a cheaper option until then. This is not just about the 2017 season though.

Much like Doolittle the Rangers would get Cedeno for cheap and he is under control for multiple years. Cedeno has six years of MLB experience and could give the Rangers even more depth once Diekman returns.

Both Doolitle and Cedeno have higher market value than most options, but they could payoff huge in the end. Jon Daniels is not shy about making moves and this could be a good long-term transaction. A deal that gives the Rangers a solid left-handed option in 2017 and beyond.

Brad Hand

Relief pitcher Brad Hand is coming off an excellent season with the San Diego Padres in 2016. Hand could be a dark house steal for the Texas Rangers if they can get him from the Padres. A strong 2016 season put Hand on the radar of many MLB teams.

In 2016 Hand went 4-4 2.92 ERA in a league leading 82 games with one save. Hand was a strikeout machine for the Padres with 111 in just 89.1 innings of work. Once a 2nd round pick of the Florida Marlins in 2008.

Hand has six years of MLB experience, but 2016 was his breakout year. Only 26-years-old Hand could be a dominant bullpen option for years to come.

Not eligible for free agency until 2020, Hand would be a huge pickup for the Rangers. A cheap option with under control that is coming off the best season of his career. He is younger than the previous two options and could be a steal for the Rangers.

The Padres are currently rebuilding their organization and that means trading Hand is a possibility. His trade value has skyrocketed after his performance last season. The Padres could decide to act on that now and get the best deal possible for Hand.

The Rangers might be able to work out a trade with the Padres and grab Hand before the Padres offer him up to the highest bidder. A low risk trade that could give the Rangers two strong left-handed options for the future.

Boone Logan

The Texas native Boone Logan could be a cheap free agent signing for the Rangers. If the Rangers decide that the trade market is too steep for them, Logan is a solid option. Coming off a bounce back season with the Colorado Rockies in 2016.

Logan went 2-5 3.69 ERA in 66 games with the Rockies in 2016. He just finished a three-year deal with the Rockies and is still available in free agency. The first two seasons in Colorado were rough, but his 2016 campaign put Logan back on the radar.

Logan has a great ability to command his pitches and keep the ball in the park. Pitching in both Coors Field and Yankee Stadium could make a pitcher’s stat line look bad. Not is not the case for Logan as he only allowed 4 homers in 46.1 innings last season.

The 32-year-old is likely seeking a multiple year deal, but could still be a fit with the Rangers. Logan has 11 years of MLB experience and could be a strong addition in the Rangers bullpen. Adding veteran depth is not a bad idea and Logan has put together a good career in the MLB.

The Rangers only need someone for a few months, but more depth cannot hurt. Having two good left-handed options for 2017 and beyond is not a bad idea. If the Rangers decide they only have room for Diekman once he returns Logan could be a trade candidate.

This is a transaction that could help the Rangers now and give them a valuable trade piece in the future. The Rangers would not have to lose anything to acquire Logan and could even get a player with him later if they decided to trade him.

Jerry Blevins

The veteran Jerry Blevins could be a solution in the Texas Rangers bullpen. Blevins has put together a successful Major League career, including the 2016 season with the New York Mets.

Blevins went 4-2 2.79 ERA in 73 games with the Mets last season. Blevins allowed just 4 homers in 42 innings pitched and struck out 52 batters. Still available in free agency and a possible good fit with the Rangers.

There are two options open here for the Rangers. They could bring in the left-handed Blevins on a one-year deal and trade him once Diekman is ready. The other option is sign Blevins to a one-year deal and have two good left-handed options out of the bullpen in 2017.

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Both are dependent on the health of Diekman and when he is ready to return to the Rangers pen. Blevins would be a strong fill in though while Diekman starts the season on the disabled list. A veteran pitcher with ten years of Major League experience.

The Rangers would not have to give up anyone to sign Blevins. He could be a small one-year transaction and be flipped in July for a prospect. Blevins has plenty of experience in a late inning type role and would be a huge addition to the Texas pen.

Most of the previous options on this list result in multiple year deals. Blevins is more likely to sign a one-year deal based on his age and injury concerns. A short-term fix to the bullpen problem and could end up as a trade candidate later in the season. This deal sounds like a win-win situation for the Rangers.