At $51.7 million, the Texas Rangers have the opportunity to grace Yu Darvish's presence.
Now it's time for him to sign that deal. Reportedly, Darvish is looking for a five-year deal for around $75 million. The ownership of the Rangers are really breaking the bank to get this kid.
While unproven in the majors, I believe this was a risk that needed to be taken. The suave and rogue Jon Daniels and his team of scouts liked what they saw when they took trips to the island in the Far East. Daniels just needed to convince the ownership to take the chance. And boy, did they.
Texas has 30 days to sign the 25-year old right-hander from Japan. It's plenty of time, and I expect a deal to get done.
But once he is officially a Ranger, what then?
I'm asking this because Texas has a few too many starting prospects to fill a five-man rotation.
Let's look at our candidates, shall we?
Yu Darvish - If he is signed, there will be no doubt he will be in the rotation. The Rangers are not signing him to be a long reliever. Even if he has a mediocre spring training, he will be a starter. That's what Texas is paying him for. Consider him a lock.
Colby Lewis - He has been fairly consistent in a starting role, going 14-10 last year. Yet, he had a 4.40 ERA. At age 32 and with one more year on his contract, it's highly possible Lewis may be trade bait. He should be making around $3.25 million for 2012. While not a lot of cash, every little bit helps, and with Lewis being the oldest and least amount of upside, he could be the one to be traded for prospects or cash considerations.
Derek Holland - Unless he has an atrocious spring training, I would consider the 25-year old Dutch Oven to be locked into the rotation for 2012. The Rangers are currently negotiating a new five-year deal for the young pitcher, which is to be expected. The lefty performed quite well last season, going 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA. Not to mention his spectacular Game 4 of the World Series, where he went 8.1 innings, giving up no runs on two hits and seven strikeouts. Many believe that was the single greatest postseason pitching performance in Texas Rangers history, and I tend to agree. Holland shouldn't be going anywhere for a while.
Matt Harrison - There's no doubt Harrison had a breakout season in his first full year in the rotation. He went 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA. Harrison is arbitration-eligible, and will not be a free agent until 2015. At 26 years old, Harrison is still young and with plenty of potential. While he had a shaky postseason, those will be kinks Harrison can work out in the offseason. I would expect Harrison to have a strong chance to make the rotation.
Alexi Ogando - Just like Matt Harrison, Ogando came out of nowhere for the Rangers. He had an 13-8 record with a 3.51 ERA. 2011 was Ogando's first year to be a full-time starter, but he had his share of difficulties as well. He was bothered by a blister on his index finger through the early part of the season. Then, he practically ran out of gas after the All-Star break. But for a pitcher who threw about four innings of relief work a week to suddenly jumping up to 15 innings of starting pitching a week, his problems were to be expected. Since Ogando is no stranger to the bullpen and with Neftali Feliz expected to receive a starting nod, Ogando may find his way into the bullpen to start out the season. Yet, spring training tends to get pitchers injured. Anything can happen.
Neftali Feliz - With the signing of closer Joe Nathan and the fact that very few fans want to see him close out a game ever again, Feliz should find his way into the rotation for the 2012 season. Of course, I believe he needs to earn it like everyone else. Past blogs have stated my views on Feliz, and whether or not he can be a starter. The potential is there, but he must learn to master his offspeed pitches before he steps back onto the rubber. He will probably be a starter, but I would rather see him earn it first.
Scott Feldman - The dark horse in the race to be a starter, Feldman had a decent latter half of the season, going 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA. He had 11 appearances on two spot starts. We all remember his spectacular 2009 season as well as terrible 2010 campaign. Feldman seems to have worked out the kinks to his knee injury, and should contend to start in the year of 2012. Yet, like Ogando, Feldman has bullpen experience, and will probably land a spot there to start the season.
Brandon Webb - To be honest, I almost didn't put him on this list because I completely forgot he was still on the roster. Webb only had a one-year deal, so he is technically a free agent. It would be in Texas' best interest to just accept that this experiment was a failure and move on.
Now, if I had my way, this would be how the rotation would look to start out the season.
1. Darvish
2. Holland
3. Lewis
4. Harrison
5.Ogando
Though, this will probably what it will be.
1. Lewis
2. Holland
3. Darvish
4. Harrison
5. Feliz
As stated earlier, spring training tends to injure players. This rotation could be way different once the actual year starts. Until then, it is a lot of fun to speculate.
All opinions are solely those of Dustin McWilliams. If you have any questions or feedback, please message McWilliams at dmcwilliams82@gmail.com
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