Texas Rangers could have steal with Drew Smyly

It may not be an move that stops the baseball universe, but the Texas Rangers acquisition of Drew Smyly could be a steal.

Quite frankly, the Texas Rangers acquisition of Drew Smyly has been a minor move, considering the news of the past few days. Cole Hamels had his option picked up by the Cubs. Clayton Kershaw signed a new deal with the Dodgers. David Price decided against exercising his opt-out clause. Hell, the re-signing of David Freese in Los Angeles, and the trade of Manny Banuelos, may have garnered more attention than Smyly going to Texas.

It is understandable as to why that would be the case. Smyly has not pitched in the majors in two years, with his only outing coming in the Midwest League this past season, Yes, he struck out all three batters he faced, but Smyly’s injury history, including Tommy John surgery and previous shoulder issues, have left him relatively forgotten.

However, when he has been healthy, Smyly has displayed flashes of potential. He has a lifetime 3.74 ERA and a 1.199 WHiP, striking out 552 batters with 161 walks in his 570 career innings. Smyly was phenomenal after his trade to the Rays in 2014, posting a 1.70 ERA and a 0.755 WHiP, results that had made him a dark horse candidate for the Cy Young before the start of the season.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Likewise, he had a strong start to the 2016 campaign, striking out a combined 22 batters in his two outings on April 13th and 19th, respectively. He was a part of the United States entry in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, allowing just three hits and an unearned run over 4.2 innings, striking out eight batters in a brilliant outing.

This type of pitcher is what the Rangers are hoping they have acquired. That was the same hope for the Mariners in 2017, and the Cubs in 2018. The problem was, he never threw a pitch in the majors for either team. Will that change with Texas?

If so, Smyly could be exactly what that rotation needs. Mike Minor is the only starter still on the roster from last season who is a definite to remain in the rotation this season. The rest of the Rangers starters are a gigantic question mark, as they hope that someone from the flotsam that filled out their rotation last year can step up. Otherwise, the Rangers may be scraping the bottom of the free agent barrel again, looking for lightning in a bottle.

Drew Smyly gives the Texas Rangers a talented arm for their rotation. If he is healthy, he could be just what they need.