Texas Rangers Are Open To Yu Darvish Reunion in 2018

The Winter Meetings are here and the rumors are heating up especially involving the Texas Rangers. Texas has expressed interest in a reunion with former starter Yu Darvish.

31-year-old Yu Darvish hits the free agent market after a World Series appearance with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017. His goal is to get back there in 2018, and to redeem himself, but can Texas give him that opportunity.

The Texas Rangers have already signed righty Doug Fister and lefty Mike Minor. They already have veteran Cole Hamels and lefty Martin Perez penciled in as well. Adding Darvish gives the Rangers a 200 inning workhorse at the top of the rotation.

The Rangers traded Darvish at the July 31st deadline when the organization felt they were out of contention. He went 4-3 with a 3.44 ERA in nine starts with the Dodgers. He struggled in the World Series though, allowing eight earned runs in 3.1 innings.

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That performance in the World Series may have hurt his value, but not too much. Darvish put together a solid regular season going 10-12 with a 3.86 ERA in 31 starts. Darvish and Jake Arrieta are clearly the top two starters on the free agent market.

The biggest question mark is going to be whether or not the Rangers and Darvish can find common ground financially. Darvish is 56-42 with a 3.42 ERA during the past five seasons with Texas and LA.

There is no argument that Darvish has earned a big pay-day. He made $11 million in 2017 with Texas, and he could be making $21 million before March. He’s an ace starter that is likely going to be paid in the $20-30 million range this off-season.

The Rangers and Darvish left on good terms when Yu was traded to Los Angeles. He wants to win-now and Texas has no intentions of rebuilding. It’s going to depend on whether or not the Rangers are willing to pay Darvish big money to stay in Arlington.

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