Texas Rangers: 5 relievers to consider signing on multi-year deals

Even in a rebuild, the Texas Rangers have some money to spend this offseason. A long-term addition or two to the bullpen could make for wise spending.

For what it’s worth, the Texas Rangers relief crew had a decent year. They currently rank 8th in the American League with a 4.30 ERA and also 8th with a .252 opponents batting average. Middle of the pack is an accomplishment considering the losses of Keone Kela, Jake Diekman and Jesse Chavez in July. All three players were having tremendous seasons while with Texas.

The Rangers will be without those three next season as well (at least we assume), so it’s best we project next year’s relief staff with pitchers on the current roster and with players elsewhere within the organization.

Let’s pencil in Jose Leclerc, Alex Claudio, Jeffrey Springs and Chris Martin for 2019’s opening day roster. That takes care of half the bullpen. At least two on the verge minor leaguers will make the roster, leaving one or two slots available for free agent signings.

Texas will prioritize starting pitching in their free agent ambitions; however, there are a number of relievers that would be worth a look. The Rangers do have the cash available to sign a couple of players to multi-year contracts (in accordance with the ongoing rebuild).

Which of the relievers on the free agent market should the Rangers consider signing to a multi-year deal?

David Robertson

Age 33

ERA vs. AL West Opponents:

Houston Astros: 3.20 (17 appearances)

Oakland Athletics: 4.00 (27 appearances)

Seattle Mariners: 1.22 (36 appearances)

Los Angeles Angels: 5.20 (28 appearances)

Robertson has spent the bulk of his career pitching in the Bronx. He has a 2.89 ERA over 63 games with New York this season. He is a career late inning reliever that would fill an obvious void as the set up man for the Texas Rangers.

The Rangers are not in the market for a closer, which could hinder a Robertson signing. Without question, a number of suitors would butter Robertson with the promise of filling the closer role. Texas cannot even try to play that game.

In order to pry him away from the teams that are in need of a closer, Texas would likely have to pay closer money. However, they could discount their spending by increasing the number of years on a potential offer.

It’s considered a risk to sign relievers to multi-year deals in today’s MLB, especially ones that are nearing their mid 30s. But David Robertson is a proven reliever that has held his own in a Yankee bullpen that consists of Aroldis Chapman, Zach Britton and Dellin Betances. Tossing a three-year contract to the 33-year-old Robertson would be wise.

Cody Allen

Age 29

ERA vs. AL West Opponents

Houston Astros: 0.69 (26 appearances)

Oakland Athletics: 5.74 (17 appearances

Seattle Mariners: 4.50 (17 appearances)

Los Angeles Angels: 2.65 (16 appearances)

Cody Allen has developed the reputation of being a lights out closer. He was an integral piece in a near World Series victory in 2016 and he had a streak of five consecutive seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA. That streak was broken this year.

In 2018, Allen has a 4.06 ERA, a 1.306 WHIP and has allowed 11 home runs in 64.1 innings. This marks the first season he’s given up double-digit homers.

Allen has settled down in the closing months, but an overall underwhelming campaign may lessen his value as a free agent. If the asking price is reasonable, the Texas Rangers could make a move.

Just like the Robertson scenario, Allen would hold the role as the Rangers’ set up man. He will likely gain closer interest this offseason; however, the interest won’t be considerable enough to pass on a multi-year, lucrative offer to come to Texas.

Joe Kelly

Age 30

ERA vs. AL West Opponents: 

Houston Astros: 10.34 (10 appearances)

Oakland Athletics: 1.65 (7 appearances)

Seattle Mariners: 0.89 (6 appearances)

Los Angeles Angels: 2.57 (6 appearances)

Of the five candidates, Joe Kelly brings the most excitement. He is smack dab in the middle of his prime and he’s already made a name for himself in the role that the Rangers would be signing him to. You guessed it, the set up role.

For the Rangers’ sake, they just have to hope Kelly doesn’t desire to become a closer and seek closer money. He’s spent the last few seasons with the Boston Red Sox as the lead-in to Craig Kimbrel. Kelly has only two career saves and they both came earlier this season.

Just imagine opening the new ballpark in 2020 with Jose Leclerc as the Texas Rangers’ closer and Joey Kelly as the set up man. That’s a lethal combo that would have no trouble finishing games for a team that will hopefully be on the rise by that point.

Blake Wood

Age 33

ERA vs. AL West Opponents:

Houston Astros: 1.59 (6 appearances)

Oakland Athletics: 4.08 (15 appearances)

Seattle Mariners: 7.11 (10 appearances)

Los Angeles Angels: 1.00 (7 appearances)

Wood has pitched in only 13 games and has just 11.2 innings to his name in 2018. However, in limited action, he has a 2.81 ERA and a .211 opponents batting average.

The 6’5” right-hander would be the least expensive of the five relievers mentioned. That’s not necessarily a turn off considering the Texas Rangers are in the midst of a rebuild. If they are going to take a risk, there’s nothing wrong with it being a minimal risk.