These 3 free agents could help the Texas Rangers in 2021

RHP Rick Porcello

2020 was a season to forget for veteran righty Rick Porcello. Wasn’t it for many players, though?

The 32-year-old spent the year in New York with the Mets, accruing a 5.64 ERA in 12 starts and 59 innings pitched for the team.

Those numbers don’t look great at first glance. However, a deeper dive into his numbers suggest Porcello ran into some bad luck in 2020 (what a surprise).

His FIP of 3.33 indicates he pitched better than that 5.64 ERA, probably due to a lack of defense behind him.

Porcello also posted one of his lowest BB/9 rates in 2020 (2.3), as well as one of his highest K/9 rates (8.2), even with a very high WHIP of 1.51.

The veteran right-hander won a Cy Young with the Boston Red Sox in 2016, so he comes with obvious pedigree.

In addition, he’s proven to be very durable, having made over 25 starts in every season except… 2020.

Porcello’s upside may be limited at this point, but if nothing else, he provides stability, leadership and innings for any rotation.

He’ll also come cheap and will only require a one-year deal.

This move would seem to be a no brainer for the Texas Rangers, who still have a pretty weak rotation despite acquiring Dane Dunning and Kohei Arihara this off-season.