Three free agent left-handed relievers for the Texas Rangers to consider

A number of free agent left-handed relievers remain available. The Texas Rangers would be wise to sign at least one to strengthen their bullpen.

The Texas Rangers bullpen is coming along. With the addition of Zach McAllister, they now have enough viable candidates to make an eight-man ‘pen. Jose Leclerc, Chris Martin, Jesse Chavez, and Jeffrey Springs are expected to hold spots. The rest will be determined in spring training competition.

Texas needs at least one more left-handed reliever, as the picture is blurry beyond Springs. C.D. Pelham and Zac Curtis could make the 25-man roster, but there is no guarantee given each player’s lack of experience.

They need someone who is established, someone who isn’t subject to a learning curve. Such candidates will be found in the free agent market.

Three free agent lefties standout, and each should come rather cheap seeing how they’re still available just weeks before the start of spring training.

Here are the three…

Jake Diekman

Why not bring back a familiar face? Diekman knows the staff, he knows the ballpark and he knows how to pitch. He spent the equivalent of three seasons with the Rangers and posted an ERA below 3.70 in each.

The Texas Rangers don’t necessarily need a lefty specialist. Really, they need to find a setup man as badly as any bullpen role. Diekman spent time as the club’s setup man throughout the years. He even closed on occasion.

It seems reasonable to use him in the setup role for the 2019 season. But Texas would have to sign in order to see that opportunity through.

Diekman just turned 32 years old. He still has his wipe out slider and he’s coming off a year in which his fastball averaged over 95 mph.

He’s a great option unless the club is in fact looking for a left-handed specialist (a pitcher who takes the mound solely to dispose of left-handed hitters). Diekman was very poor against left-handed bats a season ago, allowing a .329 BA and .443 OBP against them. He was outstanding against right-handed bats, allowing a .191 BA and .303 OBP.

Tony Sipp

Sipp had a sneaky-good 2018 season. He appeared in 54 games for the Astros and pitched to a 3-1 record and 1.86 ERA. It was the best year of his 10-year career. He allowed only 6.3 hits per nine innings and 0.2 home runs per nine. That’s incredible considering most of hit outings took place at Minute Maid Park.

The Texas Rangers need a left-handed reliever, and they always need pitchers who can keep the ball in the playing field. Sipp gave up one home run all of 2018!

Sipp faced 68 left-handed hitters and 67 right-handed hitters last year. He held lefties to a .191 batting average and a .294 slugging percentage and righties to a .209 batting average and .328 slugging.

Last year may have been a shot in the dark for Sipp; however, he’s definitely worthy of a contract with someone. The 35-year-old is another cheap, commendable option for the Rangers.