DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - The Texas Rangers continue to stay afloat in the American League wild card race despite only having two starting pitchers who have proven they can pitch more than five innings on a consistent basis.
Through 53 games, the club is a game over .500 at 27-26, and are just a half-game behind Oakland and Boston for the second wild card spot. But they can't be expected to keep pace if they don't upgrade their pitching staff.
It just so happens to be a great time to be in the market for a pitcher as there are two quality ones, a reliever and a starter, ready to sign as soon as the first round of the MLB Draft ends next Monday (June 3).
Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel's markets were slow to develop in the offseason as both were looking for long-term, high-salary deals. That never happened, however, leaving both on the sidelines until the first round is completed. And why is that the case? Because there's a silly rule in the collective bargaining agreement that allows teams to receive a first round pick in exchange for any player who departs in free agency after being given a qualifying offer. Both Keuchel and Kimbrel received those qualifying offers from their previous teams and are prepared to sign deals very quickly next week, according to reports.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels acknowledged Thursday that the club is interested in adding some pieces to the pitching staff but don't look for them to be in on Keuchel or Kimbrel.
"I do think we'll be open to additions if it's warranted as we get into the season here," Daniels said on the Ben and Skin Show on 105.3 The Fan. "We are looking at some pitching help but I don't expect we're going to be big players in that area still."
Texas has been rather quiet on the free agent market in the last few years, opting to save their money and rebuild after trading away several prospects and spending big from 2010-2016. Daniels was asked about that today and when he believes ownership will start opening their wallets again?
"I think it's all going to be player specific. I think we're going to have a lot more flexibility the next two years than we've had the last couple, three, or four (years)," Daniels said. "We're not going to spend just to say we spent. If the right guy's there and we're ready to make that investment, then we'll go. I do think that the new ballpark will play into that and (the fact that we have a) good foundation of where we're at right now (will help).
"We got some flaws on the club and some things we'll need to address, but this isn't a situation where we're tanking and have to look out for three, four, five years to build it back up again. There's some real quality players that are going to be here for the next several years and we'll have an opportunity to build on that."