Texas Rangers: Should Matt Bush Move Into The Starting Rotation?

The off-season is going to be busy for the Texas Rangers as the team searches to find pitchers to fill their starting rotation. Could reliever Matt Bush be an option in the rotation for the 2018 season?

It’s obvious the Texas Rangers need to rebuild their bullpen and starting rotation this off-season. The team will likely search via trade and free agency for rotation options, but could have one already sitting on the roster.

Currently the Rangers are weighing the option of moving hard-throwing reliever Matt Bush into the rotation. Bush has expressed interest in moving from the bullpen into the rotation, and the organization will consider it this off-season.

This wouldn’t be the first time the Rangers turned a reliever into a starter. Sometimes it worked out perfectly, and others it completely backfired on the organization. In 2008 the Rangers moved Scott Feldman into the rotation and he became a 17 game winner.

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On the other side reliever Neftali Feliz was an outstanding reliever until he moved into the rotation. In 2012 the team brought Feliz into the rotation and he injured his arm and has never been the same since then.

There is a chance it could work as C.J. Wilson pitched well in the bullpen, and moved a smooth transition into the rotation. It honestly depends on the player and if they have the stuff to be a consistent Major League starter.

It’s hard to imagine Bush becoming a reliable option in the rotation. Age is not on his side as Bush is already 31 years old. He put together a remarkable rookie campaign, but saw struggles this season.

I applaud the Rangers organization for trying to fix this issue in-house, but Bush isn’t the answer. The organization is better off spending some money and getting reliable pitching options this off-season.