Texas Rangers Sign Edinson Volquez to Minor League Deal
The Texas Rangers and Edinson Volquez have agreed to a two-year minor league contract that includes an invitation to Spring Training for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. The signing represents a return to Texas for the 34-year old right-hander, and it comes at quite the bargain.
Edinson Volquez finds himself with his old ballclub after signing with the Texas Rangers on Friday. The veteran righty began his 13-year career with Texas in 2005. However, he will spend almost the entire 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery late in the 2017 season. It is the second Tommy John procedure of his career.
The details of the signing are a boon for the Rangers. While Volquez recovers during the upcoming season, the Miami Marlins will still owe the right-hander $13 million for 2018 after releasing him last year.
The Rangers have agreed to pay Volquez $2 million if he makes the Major League roster in 2019, according to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation. The contract is worth an additional $4.5 million in incentives for that same season.
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Volquez has played for several clubs throughout his career, including the Kansas City Royals during their championship year in 2015. He pitched Game 1 and Game 5 of the 2015 World Series. He earned a no-decision in Game 1 but threw a dominant six innings in the series-deciding Game 5. Volquez signed with the Marlins in 2017 as a free agent for after a poor 2016 season with the Royals.
The veteran pitcher showed signs of improvement last season. Volquez posted a 4.19 ERA over 92.1 innings pitched. He increased his strikeout rate to 20.4 percent, with 10 of his 83 K’s occurring during his first no-hitter performance against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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It is unlikely Volquez will see any action in 2018. This year will be spent rehabilitating with the help of the Texas Rangers medical staff. With a potential $6.5 million on the table for 2019, Volquez will have had rehabbed for nearly 18 months by the time next season rolls around.