Rangers raring to add pitching after quiet Winter Meetings

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- MLB’s Winter Meetings are typically a hotbed for trades and free agent signings as the offseason fully gets underway. But this year’s Meetings was one of the slowest in recent memory, as few transactions took place in the baseball world.

Despite a slow-moving market, Rangers general manager Chris Young emphasized that the week was productive for Texas, and lots of people around the league, even if it didn’t show in a quantifiable number of deals.

“I don't think success is measured in terms of the number of deals you do,” Young said. “You never, never hear about the deals you don't do. We just were productive this week. I know from our standpoint we've gathered a lot of information which is going to help us make hopefully good decisions from here on out.”

DEALS DONE
The Rangers reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with right-handed reliever Kirby Yates on Tuesday to begin revamping the bullpen, but the deal has yet to be officially announced by the club.

RULE 5 DRAFT
The Rangers selected right-handed pitcher Carson Coleman from the Yankees’ Triple-A roster in the Major League phase of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday. Coleman missed the entire '23 season after right elbow surgery, but racked up 19 saves, a 2.13 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 44 combined relief appearances between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset in '22. He was named the Eastern League Reliever of the Year.

“We're very excited about being able to get a very good bullpen arm,” Young said. “He had Tommy John surgery, so we have to sort through the timing of his rehab and when he'll be ready, but nonetheless I really like the profile of the pitcher. He has a fastball that really plays and he has had success. He’s got great makeup and we think there's some upside here.”

The Mets selected right-handed pitcher Justin Slaten from Triple-A Round Rock before trading him to Boston. He was the only Rangers player selected in the Major League phase of the Draft, though three were selected in the Minor League phase: RHP Nick Starr (Detroit), INF Miguel Villarroel (St. Louis) and RHP John Matthews (Arizona).

BIGGEST REMAINING NEEDS
The Rangers don’t desperately need a starter like they have in the past few years, but Young has said acquiring at least one starting pitcher is still a goal for the club this winter.

The real need continues to lie in the bullpen. The reported addition of Yates is a start, but it’s no secret that the Rangers need more quality innings before Opening Day.

Texas added prospects Marc Church and Antoine Kelly to the 40-man roster to avoid losing them in the Rule 5 Draft. The two of them, plus the addition of Coleman, will give the Rangers options, but experienced arms will still be a focus this winter.

“I think it’s important to have a lot of numbers and have depth and to have competition in Spring Training and to have non-roster invitees,” Young said. “We're going to take the 13 best for our pitching staff, and so I think it's a really important aspect in terms of building that out.”

GM'S BOTTOM LINE
For Young, the bottom line will always be about starting pitching. The Rangers rotation stands with Max Scherzer, Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Andrew Heaney and Dane Dunning, with Cody Bradford available as a swingman.

The Rangers would like a starting pitcher. Probably more than one. And they’ll continue to pursue both trades and free agents as the offseason carries on.

“Just continuing to build the pitching depth is critically important,” Young said. “Last year, on paper, I thought going into Spring Training we were at least nine deep with starting pitchers, many of whom weren't overly experienced. Nonetheless, I felt like there was a level of depth going into camp and I don't think we're there yet.

“I can't say I'm certain, but I still would love to build out the depth of the rotation. I think one starter at least helps.”