Texas Rangers: Can collection of misfit pitchers work in 2018?

The Texas Rangers opted to sign a bunch of past-prime, unproven pitchers this offseason. It’s an odd approach, but there are ways in which the strategy can work.

Two-time Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum agreed to a deal with the Texas Rangers Tuesday afternoon. Lincecum has been in and out of baseball the past three years. His most recent major league stint occurred in 2016 when he went 2-6 in nine starts with the L.A. Angels. Currently 33-years-old, Lincecum deteriorated at a rapid rate. He was the best pitcher in baseball a decade ago. Now, he is a journeyman that is hanging by a thread to any professional baseball opportunity he is graced with.

Lincecum adds to the misfit of pitchers currently attending spring training with the Texas Rangers. The team has an unusual amount of well-known, but past-prime pitchers fighting for a rotation spot this spring. This refers to Matt Moore, Doug Fister, Bartolo Colon, and now, Tim Lincecum. Newcomers Jesse Chavez and Mike Minor are in the mix for a rotation spot as well.

Cole Hamels and Martin Perez are the only remaining starters for the Rangers (at least projected). Matt Bush, a career relief pitcher for the Rangers, is also being evaluated as a starting option for the upcoming season.

So the question begs…what can be made of this random group and their hand in a strange Rangers offseason?

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Is this strategy wise or insane?

General Manager Jon Daniels clearly has some unique intentions here. Never do you see a team’s rotation options revolve solely around a combination of washed up pitchers and unproven pitchers.

Just think about it. Matt Moore has become a pitcher that a team will “take a chance on”. Doug Fister has had three consecutive losing seasons. Jesse Chavez has played for half of the American League and now works primarily as a reliever. And both Mike Minor and Matt Bush are attempting the transition from reliever to starter in the upcoming season.

Additionally, Cole Hamels is now 34-years-old and has gradually lost productivity over the past two seasons. And we all know the story of 44-year-old Bartolo Colon. He loves baseball and he just wants to keep playing. Despite his passion, Colon will be evaluated the same as any pitcher this spring.

Did I miss anyone? Oh yeah, Tim Lincecum didn’t even pitch in the big leagues last season.

It seems insane to rely on such an unpredictable bunch; however, there is some upside to the approach.

First off, the Texas Rangers aren’t expected to make a run at the postseason this year. A veteran-run rotation will allow Texas’ prospects to develop in the minor leagues, preventing any unnecessary rushes to the major league squad in 2018.

Secondly, success for any one of these pitchers means trade bait for the Rangers. Most of the rotation mix is disposable, thus, Texas can cash in on prospects or younger big leaguers to assist with a rebuild.

And thirdly, the Rangers have stacked the deck with so many starting pitching options that they might just be able to find five that can put forth a winning product. This thought leads to the next question…

Will the strategy work?

The strategy will inevitably work in some ways. It’s intended to help for the future more so than the present. But there is a season to be played in 2018. So, can the strategy translate to any success in the approaching regular season?

Barring injury, the rotation projects as follows: Cole Hamels, Martin Perez, Doug Fister, Matt Moore, Mike Minor.

That’s not a terrible rotation. Hamels will have to prove he is still ace-worthy. Perez will need to step up in his seventh MLB season. His pedestrian numbers from the first six have run their course. Fister and Moore have potential. 10-12 wins from each would be considered a success. Lastly, Mike Minor will be an interesting watch. He had tremendous success out of the bullpen with the Royals last season. We’ll see if he can match that success as a starter.

That leaves Bartolo Colon, Tim Lincecum, Jesse Chavez, and Matt Bush on the outside looking in. There is a chance the Texas Rangers will find a spot for all four of them in the bullpen. Bush and Chavez will definitely be bullpen pieces. Lincecum and Colon, on the other hand, will have to prove their value before even being awarded a roster spot.

Colon could be a long reliever and a spot starter. If the Rangers pull the trigger on their rumored six-man rotation then Colon could find himself as the sixth man. Lincecum no longer has the durability to be a starter. Texas will have to determine if he is better suited for the bullpen or for the minor leagues.

Next: Angels 2018 Season Preview

The expectations are low for the Texas Rangers this season. If this random bunch can help lead the Rangers to an 80+ win season then it will be a vast success. 80+ should have them within range of a playoff spot. That’s just about the most that can be asked of the Rangers in 2018. They play in a very offensive division, therefore, their pitching staff will have their hands full. If you want my honest opinion, I would take the under on 80 wins.