Rangers agree with Dane Dunning on one-year deal

It takes more than one signing to flesh out an entire pitching staff, but the Texas Rangers will now have a better idea of what the group will look like this spring.

It was recently reported that the Rangers have signed pitcher Dane Dunning to a one-year, $2.66 million contract to avoid arbitration. Dunning has served as both a starter and reliever for the Rangers since 2021, and will hope to aid a competitive pitching contingent in 2025.

Dunning's deal represents a $670,000 pay cut from 2024. Even still, the righty will have a chance to earn more money through incentives. This kind of deal is largely a product of his questionable 2024 marks.

Across 15 starts and 26 total games, the Florida native tossed 95 innings and earned a 5.31 ERA. He ranked in the 5th percentile in Hard Hit%, the 11th percentile in Average Exit Velocity, and the 27th percentile in BB%.

These results are vastly different from what he was able to do in 2023. During the Rangers' World Series season, Dunning went 12-7 across 26 starts and 35 total games. He recorded a 3.70 ERA and ranked in the 74th percentile in GB%.

Rangers agree with Dane Dunning on one-year deal

While the deal Dunning just inked may not have been fit for an All-Star, the Rangers may only intend to use him as a "flex" option. In other words, Dunning could serve as either a back-end rotation piece or a middle reliever who could eat innings when called upon.

While Texas is expected to stay below the luxury threshold, this does not keep them trying to re-sign players like Nathan Eovaldi or Andrew Heaney. If nothing else, retaining Dunning will allow them to form a solid bottom part of their rotation.

It is not known whether or not Kumar Rocker or Jack Leiter will be effective parts of next season's rotation. Even though it is assumed they will receive a chance to make the roster, this does not mean they will rise to the occasion and stay in the big leagues.

Ranger fans should view Dunning's return as a safety net that could pay off if he is able to find his former self.