Texas Rangers: Three Starting Pitching Targets That Should Be Pursued

Option 2: Patrick Corbin

Like Keuchel, Patrick Corbin represents an intriguing left handed arm for the Texas Rangers. Perhaps what makes him even more of an interesting target is that he’s a year and a half younger than Keuchel. Having just turned 29, Corbin is in the midst of his pitching prime evidenced by the year he’s having in 2018, his career best. An All-Star, Corbin is posting a 3.05 ERA in 2018 with a 10-5 record. Now that’s in a bit of a pitcher friendly ballpark in Arizona but still, he’s shown an ability to miss bats posting a WHIP of 1.013.

Like Keuchel, Corbin’s contract expires at the end of this season and it’s not a lock for his current club to bring him back. The Diamondbacks currently are forking over $34 million to Zack Grienke and will be for the next three years. Take that sum and the fact that they Paul Goldschmidt is out of contract after next season and Arizona will have some decisions to make. Assuming they want to extend Goldschmidt, which they should, will there be enough money left over for Patrick Corbin. If not, the Rangers could capitalize on this by scooping up Corbin on a long term deal. Currently making $7.5 million, Corbin would be due a large pay raise on his next contract. I’d expect something around $18 million since although he’s younger than Keuchel, he’s also less proven.