Thursday newsletter time: Rangers strike early on rotation help as offseason gathers steam

Jeff Wilson November 10, 2022

(AP photo/Nick Wass)

After a quiet October, outside of hiring Bruce Bochy as manager, the Rangers are suddenly making news.

They landed their first starter for the 2023 rotation Wednesday, acquiring right-hander Jake Odorizzi in a trade with the Braves for left-hander Kolby Allard and cash considerations.

The cash is a generous chunk that will pay down Odorizzi’s salary. Those savings won’t hurt when it comes to the Rangers attempting to sign top free-agent starter, though general manager Chris Young told the media Friday and again Tuesday at the general managers meetings in Las Vegas that the Rangers will have top-of-the-market cash considerations.

Odorizzi is a steady pitcher, not too flashy. He doesn’t strike out many hitters, nor does he walk too many. Cutting down free passes is important to the Rangers and has been for the past decade.

The the one-year contract is also important. GMs love one-year deals, which don’t require locking up a pile of money in a player for six or seven years. The one-year contract also buys more time for the club’s top prospects to develop while creating depth for 2023.

If the Rangers hit their offseason goals, Odorizzi would be no higher than the No. 4 starter. He and Jon Gray are the only two starters with rotation spots for next season.

The Rangers are facing a decision today on left-hander Martin Perez, who would seem to be a natural fit on a team that needs starting pitching but things aren’t headed that way. They have their eyes on the top free agents, inlcuding Jacob deGrom and Carlos Rodon.

After watching the Rangers strike early Wednesday and last season, albeit motivated by the looming MLB lockout, don’t be surprised if the Rangers try to move quickly if an opportunity presents itself.

Silver Sluggers?

Four Rangers players have a chance to win a Silver Slugger tonight, with first baseman Nate Lowe and shortstop Corey Seager the best bets to win. Second baseman Marcus Semien is also nominated, and Adolis Garcia is a nominee in the outfield and at designated hitter.

If OPS is the determining factor, Lowe wins. If homers are the determining factor, Seager wins. If Louisville Slugger is tired of Jose Altuve winning, Semien wins. Garcia needs help.

The hope here is that at least one of them wins. The Rangers have plans to make each winner available to the media, and it would be nice to hear some thoughts on Bochy and the offseason as a whole.

The players won’t say much specifically on what they want the Rangers to do, but there’s always something to gleen from them as they look forward to 2023.

All the media needs is a player or two to bring home some hardware.

ICYMI …

The news is coming pretty quickly, and it’s going to keep coming quickly. Wednesday was a big day. Today is a big day. Tuesday is going to be a big day. Rangers Today is on it. You should become a paid subscriber (click here) so you don’t miss any of it or our weekly features. Here’s our latest, in case you missed it.

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Rangers Today Baseball Podcast: Episode 59 links