Texas Rangers have been busy, despite Anthony Rendon miss. They just added 2 pitchers.
The Texas Rangers very clearly have more to do this offseason, but no one can say they haven’t done anything so far.
The latest roster additions came Friday, when deals for right-handed starter Jordan Lyles and left-handed reliever Jeffrey Springs were announced by the club.
Lyles signed a two-year deal worth $16 million, while Springs signed a deal for $585,000 less than two weeks after being non-tendered.
The Rangers also signed righty Kyle Gibson to their rotation on a three-year deal that could pay him $31 million.
By trading Nomar Mazara to the Chicago White Sox, the Rangers cleared the outfield logjam, created more roster flexibility and ensured full-time at-bats for left fielder Willie Calhoun.
Lyles is excited to join the team. The Rangers now have Lance Lynn, Mike Minor, Gibson and Lyles in their rotation. The final opening is likely to go to an internal candidate, though general manager Jon Daniels said he hasn’t dismissed the idea of adding another pitcher from outside the organization.
“I just like the direction they are headed,” Lyles said of the team. “There are a lot of positives. They were one of the teams that showed the strongest interest. Everything sounded great to me. Along those lines, in 2020, I thought it would be a great spot to be in with Mike, Lance and Kyle — be a part of a veteran rotation.”
As with Gibson, the Rangers believe they are catching Lyles on an upward swing. He was the Milwaukee Brewers’ best pitcher in 2019, going 7-1 with a 2.45 ERA over 11 starts, as they charged to the National League Central title.
For his career, though, Lyles has pitched to a 5.11 ERA in stops with the Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates — and two half-season stints with the Brewers.
Lyles, who received a $2 million signing bonus and will get $7 million per season, said his confidence is high as he heads to the Rangers.
“I felt I could help out, so it was a good landing spot,” he said.
But in the aftermath of losing out on third baseman Anthony Rendon, the Rangers clearly have more heavy-lifting to do before spring training begins in mid-February.
Adding a third baseman remains the top priority, and the trade market could be where the Rangers find one. Josh Donaldson remains the best free agent, but the drop in talent is significant after him.
The Rangers could try to wrestle Miguel Andujar away from the New York Yankees. There are rumblings that the Colorado Rockies would make Nolan Arenado available, though he comes with seven years and $234 million left on a contract that allows him to opt out in two seasons.
Catcher and first base are other areas where the Rangers are considering an upgrade.
