For the moment, the Texas Rangers are planning to hold on to Yu Darvish, but with his free agency on the horizon and hopes to contend in 2018, they might want to change their strategy.
As
Yu Darvishnears his first round of free agency,
that the
plan to hang on to their ace through thick and thin this season. With hopes of re-signing Darvish this winter, the Rangers believe they are best suited to do so by keeping him in Texas through the remainder of the season.
Prior to debuting in 2012, Darvish’s relationship with the Rangers stretches back to his time in the Japanese League. From 2005-2011, the Rangers actively scouted and showed personal interest in bringing Darvish to the major leagues. This unique ballplayer-organization relationship is one of the reasons Darvish desires to stay in Texas.
This relationship is one the Rangers hope to use as leverage in their negotiations with Darvish’s countryman Shohei Otani. Otani is one of the best pitchers in the Japanese League and could come to the United States as soon as next year. The addition of Otani to the rotation with Darvish makes the Rangers potential contenders in 2018.
Take a leap
Yet if contending is the Rangers’ main goal, why not pull a “Chapman” with Darvish? In 2016, the New York Yankees traded Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs for a significant amount of top prospects only to resign Chapman last offseason.
The Yankees took advantage of Chapman’s desire to play in New York and ended up with more than if they never traded him at all. Similarly, the Rangers can capitalize on Darvish’s desire to play in Texas and add to their farm system.
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However, there is no telling what the future holds and whatever Darvish decides to do will send the Rangers in one of two directions.
If he re-signs this offseason, he maintains the strength of the Rangers’ rotation – consisting of Cole Hamels, Martin Perez and possibly Otani – and combined with their youthful lineup, their chances of contending in 2018 increases.
On the other hand, if he decides to sign elsewhere and Otani does the same, the Rangers are left with a depleted roster and few choices besides rebuilding.
Even if the Rangers place Darvish on the trading block or he decides to test free agency, his value remains a question mark. Although his numbers are matching where they were from 2012-2014, Darvish is only two years removed from Tommy John surgery. Consequently, he missed all of 2015 and only made 17 starts last season.
On pace for his first full season since his surgery, this year will be a critical factor in determining whether Darvish is back to his previous form.
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Furthermore, at 31 years old, Darvish will likely look for a long-term deal this winter. Given his age and recent surgery, handing him a six- or seven-year deal rings too similar to the one Barry Zito received from the San Francisco Giants.