Texas Rangers: Seven stars of interest in the 2020 free agent class

Miles Mikolas

Mikolas was a member of the Texas Rangers in 2014. He made 10 starts, going 2-5 with a 6.44 ERA. As things did not go well in Texas, he decided the international route was best. Mikolas spent the next three years playing in Japan as a member of the Yomiuri Giants. There, he posted sensational numbers, including a 14-8 record and a 2.25 ERA in his final season.

He returned to MLB in 2018 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-hander picked up in the U.S. right where he left off Japan, notching an 18-4 record and a 2.83 ERA for St. Louis. His campaign earned him a sixth place finish in NL Cy Young voting.

Without a doubt, Mikolas’ story and excellence were vastly underrated last year. He’ll truly be able to grab the national spotlight if he can repeat his 2018 season in 2019. That’s what it will take for him to earn a big contract once he becomes a free agent.

Though, even if he does repeat, it’s unlikely he’ll field ace-like money. A stint of success does not compare to constant success like we’ve seen from Bumgarner and Cole all these years. Because Mikolas will cost less than a bona fide ace, the Rangers will have every reason to pounce.

Mikolas will be 31 years old at the time of free agency.