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Texas Rangers: 3 left-handed starters to target for the rotation

By Seth Carlson |
Jul 23, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 23, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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The Texas Rangers enter 2021 Spring Training without many quality southpaw starting options.

This isn’t an uncommon trend across MLB, as many teams don’t have left-handed starters, let alone a left-handed ace (unless we’re talking Clayton Kershaw, prime Chris Sale and David Price or even the Mariners’ Marco Gonzales, of course.)

But having a lefty in the rotation would help to balance and spread out the multitude of right-handed pitchers the Rangers have, as well as having another player to eat innings and provide leadership to a relatively youthful staff.

The Rangers could choose to remain in-house for their pursuit of a southpaw starter, possibly allowing for Kolby Allard, Wes Benjamin or Joe Palumbo to step up and claim a rotation spot.

However, none of those names are exactly drumming up a ton of confidence at the moment, between combined lack of establishment and health concerns.

Luckily, Texas still has options to sift through on the free agent market to bolster their left-handed pitching depth, including these three.

Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers lefty starter free agent option: Cole Hamels

How about bringing back a familiar name, like veteran southpaw Cole Hamels?

Originally acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies at the 2015 trade deadline ahead of the Rangers’ playoff run that year, Hamels provided a big boost to the team’s pitching staff.

The 37 year-old spent four years in Texas, finishing with a 3.90 ERA in 88 total starts and 546.2 innings pitched in Arlington (including postseason).

Hamels has spent the last three years- two with the Chicago Cubs, where he was effective- and 2020 with the Atlanta Braves, where he suffered injuries and made just one start.

From what we gathered, Hamels loved his tenure with the Texas Rangers and based on that, might be willing to come back on a one-year deal in 2021.

He likely won’t command a large salary figure, either, making him a great fit for the Rangers’ budget and timeline.

Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers lefty starter free agent option: Gio Gonzalez

Gio Gonzalez has been a quality starting pitcher in MLB for a long time.

The 35 year-old can always be counted on as a steady, if unspectacular presence in a starting rotation.

The veteran lefty began his career with the Oakland A’s before spending seven years with the Washington Nationals, two years with the Milwaukee Brewers and 2020 with the Chicago White Sox.

Gonzalez started just four games for Chicago in 2020, posting a 4.83 ERA in those starts to go with 31.2 innings pitched.

Not a large sample size, and certainly not enough to write him off as a potential option for the Texas Rangers in 2021.

For his career, the 35-year old has a 3.70 ERA and has logged 200+ innings in a season three times, while coming close five other times.

That would appear to be a worthwhile investment.

Gonzalez, like Hamels, could also be had on a one-year deal at a low AAV, making him a seemingly good fit.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers lefty starter free agent option: Brett Anderson

Lefty Brett Anderson is the epitome of a boom-or-bust starting pitcher in MLB.

When healthy and at his best, Anderson represents an above-average rotation option (evidenced by a career 4.06 ERA).

However, the 33 year-old has suffered more than his fair share of physical ailments over the course of his career, which has led him to bounce around to different teams of late.

Anderson spent the first seven years of his career in Oakland, following that long stint there with much lesser ones with the LA Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, and Toronto Blue Jays.

Interestingly, the veteran southpaw was quite effective in all of those places (except Chicago), but just could never seem to put it all together because of injuries that have limited his ability to be consistent.

If Anderson stays healthy in 2021, he might be an underrated play for the Texas Rangers on a one-year deal.

He won’t eat a lot of innings, but can be productive in the ones he does pitch.

The potential always seems to be there with Anderson, even if injuries have derailed his path.

It’s the reason he’s been able to stick around this long in the first place.

Next. Texas Rangers announce 2021 Spring Training invitees. dark

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