Free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse remains on the market and according to Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram, the Rangers have remained in contact with Lohse and agent Scott Boras. Lohse Has been unable to attract much interest from teams this off-season, largely because of draft pick compensation rules. Any team that signs Lohse would have to surrender their number one pick St. Louis Cardinals. For the Rangers would be the number 24 pick, and that’s where it gets interesting.
Lohse is 34 years old and had a career year in St. Louis in 2012 going 16-3 with a 2.86 ERA. The Rangers received the number 31 pick after losing Josh Hamilton to the Los Angeles Angels and may be more willing to pull the trigger on a deal for Lohse, with the added flexibility. There seems to be two groups within the Rangers organization with opposing views.
Some say the pick is worth sacrificing now as Lohse could have an impact on the 2013 season Still others covet draft picks and the value high draft picks add to its draft signing pool, not to mention that Lohse is a flyball pitcher and doesn’t strike out a lot of hitters, facts that don’t play well at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
As for now the Rangers are sitting tight with the pitching they have, including Matt Harrison, Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, Alexi Ogando, Colby Lewis, and Martin Perez.
“You can always get better. I recognize that,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “But we’re also committed to giving opportunities to guys we believe in who may be better than the alternative.”At least for now.
