Nolan Writin'
Fansided

Evaluating the Texas Rangers Three-Year Deal with Lance Lynn

By Kenneth Nash

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Texas Rangers are reportedly in agreement on a three-year deal with veteran starting pitcher, Lance Lynn as of Wednesday evening.

The Texas Rangers seem to have made their biggest signing of the offseason to this point working out a three year deal with veteran starting pitcher, Lance Lynn. News that the two sides were nearing a deal was first reported by TR Sullivan of MLB.com. Shortly thereafter, it was confirmed by multiple sources that the two had agreed on a 3-year, $30 million deal.

Background on Lance Lynn

Lance Lynn was one of the highlights of free agency last offseason but didn’t sign a deal until late in the offseason with the Minnesota Twins. Coming off a down year, he was still considered a valuable arm hence the reason he was dealt to the New York Yankees for the postseason stretch last season. At 31, the big right-hander posted a 10-10 record in 31 appearances (29 starts) between the Twins and the Yankees last season. He maintained a combined 4.77 ERA and struck out 9.2 per 9 innings.

Despite a down 2018, Lynn is still a career 3.57 ERA pitcher with an 82-57 record and a 1.321 WHIP. With over 1100 career innings, he is averaging nearly a strikeout per inning and has an impressive, 15.6 career WAR.

More from Texas Rangers News

What Will Lynn Do For Texas?

The consistent theme throughout the offseason for the Rangers has been their desperate need for starting pitching. Lance Lynn helps fill that need. Expect him in 2018 to slot in as probably the number two starter in the rotation behind Mike Minor where he can help provide some stability to a rotation that was in dire need of stability.

Lynn has only crossed 200 innings twice in his career, 2013 and 2014, but hasn’t gotten above 186 innings since then. He did miss 2016 due to Tommy John surgery so injuries should at least be acknowledged but long-term health isn’t something to freak out about. Long story short, don’t expect him to be an inning-eating workhorse, but he will be a serviceable starter which is a big piece for the Texas Rangers.

Was This A Good Signing?

Well, good is a bit relative. Are the Rangers going to turn Lance Lynn into a value-brand ace? Not really. Will he return to his dominant form from 2012-2014 where he had at least 15 wins in each season and a very good ERA? Unlikely. What the Texas Rangers are getting is exactly what they were looking for.

At $10 million a year for the next 3 years, Lance Lynn isn’t going to financially handicap the Texas Rangers. And while he won’t be headlining a post-rebuild rotation, he is a starting pitcher for 2019 which they desperately needed. Past 2019, he offers somebody who can supplement the back end of the rotation with reliable, veteran outings and help Texas build towards the future. In essence, was this a good deal? As good as Texas could’ve hoped for. Well done by the front office.

Next. Roundtable Talk: Potential Texas Rangers Trades at the Winter Meetings. dark

Home/Texas Rangers News