Friday, January 25, 2013
No SP for Texas?
By Jason A. Churchill
Considering the report Thursday from T.R. Sullivan -- the Texas Rangers are not pursuing right-hander Kyle Lohse -- there's certainly a chance GM Jon Daniels and his staff may be fixing to start spring training with the starting pitching they have, just as they may be set in center field.
If Lohse isn't on the club's radar, and the Rangers are still considering their options on the trade market, names such as Chris Capuano and Rick Porcello come to mind. None are front line arms, however, which may deem them not worth the trade cost it takes to acquire them.
As of now, Yu Darvish, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland, Alexi Ogando, Martin Perez and Justin Grimm will head to Surprise, Arizona with a rotation spot in mind. The first three are sure shots, Ogando probably, too, leaving Perez and Grimm to battle it out for what will eventually become Colby Lewis' spot in the rotation. Lewis could return as early as May after having elbow surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon.
If Capuano nor Porcello are of interest to the Rangers, they may have no choice but to start spring training as is. Often times clubs make deals in March as they sort out their rosters, so Daniels still could make a move to add a proven starter. It also may behoove the club to give Grimm or Perez an extended look before Lewis returns.
