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Per reports, Texas Rangers are interested in at least three free agent pitchers

By Travis Koch |
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 18: J.A. Happ #34 of the New York Yankees pitches during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on September 18, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 18: J.A. Happ #34 of the New York Yankees pitches during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on September 18, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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The Texas Rangers are reportedly interested in three free agent starting pitchers. What does each bring to the table and how much will each cost?

Finally an indication as to who the Texas Rangers are interested in signing this offseason. As you’ll see below, insider Jeff Wilson reports Texas is eyeing starting pitchers Lance Lynn, Charlie Morton and J.A. Happ. One name has been shouted plenty this free agency period, one shouted moderately, and one quite infrequently.

Let’s start with the latter names and work to the former…

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08: Lance Lynn #36 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 08, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08: Lance Lynn #36 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 08, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Lance Lynn

Lynn will turn 32 years of age in May. He concluded last season with the New York Yankees, pitching to a 3-2 record and a 4.14 ERA over 11 appearances, including 9 starts. Taking into account his 2018 numbers with the Minnesota Twins, Lynn finished the season with an overall 10-10 record and a 4.77 ERA.

Strangely enough, the right-hander posted a 2.17 FIP and allowed 0.3 home runs per nine innings as a member of the Yankees. Those two stats highlight two things: 1) New York’s defense was not very good and 2) Lynn managed to keep the ball in the ballpark at one of the tinier ballparks in Major League Baseball.

It just so happens the Rangers play in a hitter-friendly ballpark themselves (for the time being) and they sport a defense that ranks in the bottom half of MLB. So, Lance Lynn would come with experience regarding those likening factors.

2019 will be Lynn’s eighth big league season. Texas could use a starter’s influence that has been around the block a few times. I bite my tongue as I write it, but he was indeed a member of the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals squad that took down the Rangers in the World Series.

Thus, he would bring with him not only experience, but important experience. Though, the same can be said for the other two starting pitchers on the Rangers’ shopping list.

The most I can see the Texas Rangers offering Lynn is two years. He made $12 million last season, I would expect something along those lines for the upcoming season as well.

HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 17: Charlie Morton #50 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 17: Charlie Morton #50 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Charlie Morton

Morton just turned 35. His age will prevent a long-term deal; however, his numbers will warrant a worthy figure. The former Astro has improved with age. He posted a 14-7 record and 3.62 ERA in 2017 and a 15-3 record to coincide a 3.13 ERA in 2018. That means he’s won 75% of his decisions over the last two seasons. Not too shabby.

In addition, Morton’s fastball velocity has increased over the years. His four-seamer averaged 92.9 mph in 2015 and worked its way up to 96.6 mph in 2018 (per Fangraphs). He’s also known for possessing one of the better curveballs in the game.

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Control can be a problem at times, but it only contributes to his nasty stuff and makes him that much more difficult to hit. 2018 marked the first 200 strikeout season of his career. He recorded 201 of them in only 167 innings pitched.

What does everything I just wrote lead up to?

Charlie Morton will likely draw interest from many teams. And the pool will of course include a few contenders. Needless to say, the competition will be steep for the Rangers.

Morton made just $7 million in each of the past two seasons. I doubt he’ll be looking for a massive number, but he’ll certainly have the luxury of accepting an offer from the highest bidder. The number of years is what a signing will likely come down to, however. Teams offering two or three years will have the best shots.

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 04: J.A. Happ #34 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the first inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 4, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 04: J.A. Happ #34 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the first inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 4, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

J.A. Happ

Happ is getting a ton of buzz in free agency. If the Texas Rangers want to dive in, they’ll be competing against the Yankees and Phillies for the lefty. And the list doesn’t stop there. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports weighed in on the Happ sweepstakes…

Happ is 36 years old and will be entering his 13th major league season. He’s had a run of success over the last four years, pitching to a 3.61 ERA in 2015, 3.18 ERA in ’16 (he also went 20-4 that year), 3.53 in ’17 and 3.65 in ’18. He has all the momentum this free agency period after going 7-0 to finish the season with the Yankees.

Frankly, I don’t see the Rangers’ interest in Happ going much further than Jeff Wilson’s tweet. There are simply too many contending teams looking to sign him.

If Texas really wants him, they’ll have to fulfill the niche. If contenders don’t want to offer him more than two years then maybe the Rangers have a fighting chance if they offer him three years. It states very clearly in Passan’s tweet–“he’ll sign with the first one that does” guarantee him a third year.

Related Story. Rangers Reportedly In on J.T. Realmuto Sweepstakes. light

Still, I’m hesitant about the Texas Rangers signing a 36-year-old to a three-year deal as they embark on a new chapter.

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