Texas Rangers Could Be Interested in International Talent This Off-Season

The Texas Rangers front office will be busy this winter as the organization attempts to rebuild their starting rotation. The lack of talent hitting the open market could mean Texas looks internationally to patch their holes.

It’s no secret that the Texas Rangers and many other organizations will be after star Japanese pitcher Shohei Ohtani this winter. That is if Ohtani is even posted by his current club in Japan this winter.

While Ohtani is going to be sought after by most clubs, the Rangers have another pitcher in mind as a possible backup plan. That is right-hander Miles Mikolas who has spent the last three years pitching in Japan.

The 29-year-old pitcher last pitched in the MLB with the Rangers in 2014. He went 2-5 with a 6.44 ERA in 10 starts that season. He went to Japan, and looks like he’s reinvented himself overseas.

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This season Mikolas went 14-8 with a 2.25 ERA in 27 starts with the Yomiuri Giants. He’s put together three stellar seasons with the organization, and could be ready to make a come back to the Majors.

Since joining the Yomiuri Giants in 2015 Mikolas is 31-13 with a 2.18 ERA in 62 starts. He’s put together an incredible run, but can he translate it back into the Majors? The Rangers do have success with signing players from Japan. Most notably, ace starter Yu Darvish, long time Ranger Colby Lewis, and reliever Tony Barnette.

It’s unlikely Mikolas can be an ace starter in the MLB, but he could contribute. If he is posted expect the organization to look into a possible deal. The MLB pitching market could be bleak, so the Rangers may need to get creative this winter.