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Roundtable Talk: Predicting Free agent signings for the Texas Rangers this offseason

By Travis Koch

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros reacts in the third inning as a play is reviewed against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros reacts in the third inning as a play is reviewed against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JUNE 25: Shelby Miller #26 of the Arizona Diamondbacks making his season debut throws his first pitch of the season in the first inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on June 25, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 25: Shelby Miller #26 of the Arizona Diamondbacks making his season debut throws his first pitch of the season in the first inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on June 25, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Shelby Miller

The Texas Rangers are in the curious position of trying to find starting pitching that can be effective over the next couple of seasons while also be effective 3 or 4 years down the road when they hope to be ending their rebuilding period. Finding pitchers young enough to stick around awhile, but that are also willing to commit long-term to a rebuilding club is like finding needles in a haystack. Shelby Miller though could be that needle.

Miller is coming off a limited 2018 where he missed a chunk of time recovering from Tommy John surgery. When he did come back, he had to go back on the DL pretty quickly and in the end, only pitched 16 innings last season for the Diamondbacks. At 28, he’s now hitting free agency as one of the biggest question marks in the class.

He once was one of the top young pitchers in the league and that kind of talent doesn’t just disappear overnight. Despite a losing record, he still has a career 3.83 ERA and a career WHIP of 1.32 to date. He could help fill out a thin rotation while Texas stockpiles prospects, and, if he performs well, hopefully, he can still provide depth when the Rangers see the light at the end of the rebuilding tunnel.

Related Story. Roundtable Talk: Predicting 3 Rangers Trades this Offseason. light

I’d imagine he wouldn’t garner as much per year as Mike Minor did last season when the Rangers got him on a 3-year deal worth $28 million. If the Texas Rangers could get him on a 3 year deal worth $21 million with a team option for a 4th year at $9 million, he could fit perfectly into what Texas needs.

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