The signing of Chris Martin might have finished off the Texas Rangers’ offseason bullpen shopping, or was general manager Ross Fenstermaker just posturing?
Big-league bullpens turn over every season, but, boy, the Texas Rangers have taken it to another level this offseason.
Chris Martin is the fifth reliever they have signed with major-league experience (Luis Curvelo, who has never pitched above Double A, signed a major-league deal). The expectation, even after adding Martin, was the Rangers were still going to add a closer.
General manager Ross Fenstermaker threw some cold water, or a curveball, at that notion Tuesday afternoon. The Rangers, he said, are comfortable with the five they have added and believe one of them or all five of them could end up saving games for the 2025 Rangers.
A closer? Fenstermaker said the Rangers will keep their ears to the ground but aren’t actively pursuing one.
Hmm.
Well, there are two ways to look at that: He’s telling the truth or trying to knock loose the logjam in the closer market.
Option 1: Martin is really good. No, he’s never been a closer, and neither have fellow newcomers Jacob Webb, Shawn Armstrong, Hoby Milner or Robert Garcia. But the Rangers targeted that group for a reason, and one of them is that they have pitched in high-leverage situations in their careers (they also signed pretty cheap).
Be mindful that Josh Sborz is expected to make a healthy return in June or July, and closers are sure to be available at the trade deadline. Chris Young, the president of baseball operations, did recently say that the bullpen might not be a finished product on Opening Day.
Option 2: C’mon, man. The new fivesome has a combined 29 career saves. Kirby Yates is still available, and manager Bruce Bochy said late last season that he wants Yates back. If you’re Yates, that’s pretty strong advocate to have.
The Rangers would also gladly welcome Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley. He and pitching coach Mike Maddux worked together before Maddux jumped over to the Rangers.
Spring training is about five weeks away. That’s plenty of time to add a closer. Or not.
Holland retires
This news deserves more than simply a small note, and that’s coming. For now, left-hander Derek Holland retired Tuesday, announcing the decision on social media.
He made arguably the best start in Rangers postseason history in Game 4 of the 2011 World Series, allowing no runs on only two hits in 8 1/3 innings. He produced 16 wins that season and followed it up with 12 and 10 in 2012 and 2013.
An offseason knee injury derailed his career before the 2014 season, and it’s safe to say that he wasn’t manager Jeff Banister’s favorite. But he worked hard, had fun and was tough on himself.
He continues to use his platform for good with various charitable endeavors, including his own charity that benefits the fight against childhood cancer. He said he wants to continue in the game in some capacity, either in broadcasting or in coaching.
The good news is Holland will never be too far away.
Caravan delayed
The expect winter weather Thursday and Friday has forced the Rangers to push the start of their annual Winter Caravan to next week.
The Thursday event at The FAN studios in Dallas has been moved to Monday, and the Friday event in Longview has been canceled. It has been replaced by a Jan. 26 event at La Moderna Field in Cleburne.
Check out the updated schedule here. The Commissioner’s Trophy from the 2023 World Series will be making several appearances, too.
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Doggy video!
The kids this morning ahead of their first day back at school. Enjoy.
Jeff Wilson, jwilson@alldlls.com
