Rosenthal: What I’m hearing about Rangers’ pitching plans, Jorge Soler and more

Imagine Jacob deGrom and Clayton Kershaw each becoming a member of the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers someday after the All-Star break. It could be as if the staff was making two beautiful deadline additions, albeit two who’re coming off accidents and getting into their age-36 seasons.

The Rangers can fairly dream on deGrom, who’s aiming to return from his second Tommy John surgical procedure in August. Kershaw, a local and resident of the Dallas suburb of Highland Park, Texas, is a bit more of a stretch. He has by no means thrown a pitch for the Rangers, and just isn’t sure to throw any pitches in any respect in 2024.

As a free agent, Kershaw first would wish to decide on the Rangers over the one staff he has recognized, the Dodgers. Then, he would wish to recuperate from surgical procedure to restore the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder. In an Instagram post on Nov. 3 after his surgical procedure, Kershaw mentioned, “I am hopeful to return to play at some point next summer.”

The Rangers, going through monetary uncertainty because of the potential loss of their local television rights deal, appear unlikely to convey again left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who can argue that he has outperformed Aaron Nola, the Phillies’ $172 million man, over the previous three seasons.

Kershaw could be cheaper. A variety of different free-agent starters could be, too. And within the postseason, the Rangers demonstrated the worth of pitching depth, utilizing three starters, Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning and Jon Gray, as glorified openers or relievers.

The staff, in accordance with major-league sources briefed on its plans, has the identical concept in thoughts for ’24. The Rangers may signal Kershaw and look forward to him and deGrom within the second half. Or they’ll go for second-tier free brokers who could be able to pitch Opening Day, pitchers reminiscent of Michael Wacha, Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. And maybe prospects reminiscent of Owen White and Jack Leiter would supply the second-half enhance.

The Rangers have already got a number of starters in place — Gray, Heaney, Dunning and Cody Bradford, to not point out, ahem, Max Scherzer and Nathan Eovaldi. It’s only a matter of how basic supervisor Chris Young rounds out the perimeters. And Kershaw, if he’s certainly able to pitching in ’24, could be one heck of a option to begin.

The Soler Solution

At least two groups all for free-agent designated hitter Jorge Soler, the Diamondbacks and Mariners, are canvassing each the commerce and free-agent markets, and in the end would possibly choose to unfold their cash amongst a number of hitters quite than one costly addition.

Soler, 31, is The Athletic’s Nineteenth-ranked free agent total and the second ranked corner outfielder of the class. He would give the Mariners a 3rd slugger to enhance heart fielder Julio Rodríguez and catcher Cal Raleigh, serving to change the ability the staff misplaced by buying and selling Eugenio Suárez and declining to make Teoscar Hernández a qualifying supply. Brant Brown, the Mariners’ new bench coach and offensive coordinator, grew keen on Soler because the Marlins’ hitting coach final season.

The Diamondbacks, even after agreeing with left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez on a four-year, $80 million free-agent contract, stay very a lot in pursuit of offensive assist. Their choice is a right-handed hitter who would bat in the midst of the order. Soler, who will play subsequent season at 32, definitely matches that description.

But simply as with the Mariners, signing Soler would depart the Diamondbacks little payroll flexibility for different strikes. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden predicted Soler would obtain a two-year, $32 million deal, whereas one other colleague, Tim Britton, projected a three-year, $45 million contract.

The Reds and the commerce market

At first look, the Reds’ three-year, $45 million settlement with free-agent infielder Jeimer Candelario appears a precursor to a commerce. Even with the staff planning to use Spencer Steer more in the outfield, the Reds are nonetheless taking a look at six gamers for 5 spots within the infield and at DH.

Club officers view shortstop Elly De La Cruz, second baseman Matt McLain and third baseman Noelvi Marte as long-term fixtures, so the obvious candidates to commerce could be second baseman Jonathan India and third baseman/first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand. India, nevertheless, is little more than a mean offensive participant. Encarnacion-Strand performs the identical positions as Candelario — third base, first and DH — and is restricted defensively.

While a commerce definitely just isn’t out of the query, the Reds like their depth. They imagine they’ll create sufficient at-bats for all of their infielders now that first baseman Joey Votto is gone and non-tendered infielder/outfielder Nick Senzel is off to the Nationals. But the issue if the Reds decline to commerce for a pitcher is that they might be pressured again into the free-agent market, the place costs are hovering.

The Reds landed righty Nick Martinez, however have been outbid by the Cardinals for right-hander Sonny Gray. Rodriguez, one other starter who may need match, acquired his $80 million assure from the Diamondbacks despite the fact that he has pitched more than 157 2/3 innings solely as soon as in his eight full seasons.

Royals searching for assist

The Royals have been surprisingly aggressive in attempting so as to add beginning pitching, in accordance with league sources briefed on their pursuits. Ideally, the staff wish to add two starters to go along with lefty Cole Ragans and righty Brady Singer, in addition to a hitter and bullpen assist.

At least one vital piece is prone to come by means of a commerce, and the Royals are among the many golf equipment speaking to the Marlins and Mariners about their starters. Designated hitter Vinnie Pasquantino and third baseman Maikel Garcia doubtless will stay a part of the Royals’ future together with shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. But outfielder MJ Melendez, second baseman Michael Massey and catcher Freddy Fermin are among the many gamers the Royals may transfer, and rival golf equipment are also all for their minor-league pitching.

As free of charge brokers, the Royals made a proposal to Gray, who signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Cardinals, and additionally they have been in on righty Erick Fedde, who went to the White Sox on a two-year, $15 million deal. They doubtless will likely be energetic on the tier beneath the front-line starters, exploring pitchers reminiscent of Wacha, Lucas Giolito, Marcus Stroman and Seth Lugo. But the two-year, $26 million contract the Reds awarded Martinez elevated the marketplace for these starters, a number of of whom are more completed. Which would possibly require the Royals to make an uncomfortable commerce.

And lastly… 

Here’s a enjoyable little undeniable fact that speaks to the sluggish tempo of the offseason: Candelario, catcher Victor Caratini, infielder Joey Wendle, and shortstop Paul DeJong are the one free-agent place gamers up to now to vary groups (Jason Heyward re-signed with the Dodgers).

Though Shohei Ohtani’s lingering free company definitely is holding up some transactions, some within the trade cite different components for the dearth of signings. The weak class of place gamers is one. The staggered postings of Asian gamers is one other.

The prime free-agent place participant after Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, was non-tendered by the Dodgers after the 2022 season, coming off two years during which he produced a mixed .611 OPS. The next-best hitter after Bellinger, Matt Chapman, had a 1.152 OPS in March/April however a .659 the remainder of the way in which. Like Bellinger, he provides added worth together with his protection.

The posted gamers, in the meantime, didn’t all hit the market without delay. Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto was posted on Nov. 20, left-hander Shoto Imanaga and righty Naoyuki Uwasawa on Nov. 28, Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee and right-handed reliever Woo Suk Go on Dec. 4. The posting interval lasts 45 days for Japanese gamers.

(Photo of Clayton Kershaw: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)