COMMENTARY | Just when everyone thought the Texas Rangers’ pitching staff heading into spring training was somewhat full, it is believed the team is still in the mix for free agent Roy Oswalt.
I tried to convince my son that he wasn’t needed on a staff that is still among the top five in Major League Baseball even with the departure of C.J. Wilson to the division rival Los Angeles-Anaheim Angels. The signing of Japanese phenom Yu Darvish, although his skills haven’t been on display in the MLB yet, canceled out the loss of Wilson and maybe enhanced the staff.
Oswalt’s multiple stints on IR last year were all I could think about and didn’t want to waste more money on an injured pitcher and never see it pan out (see Brandon Webb). Granted, Oswalt’s ailment — a bad back — wasn’t as severe as Webb’s torn rotator cuff. Having just undergone the same surgery, I can understand why Webb hasn’t come back as the ace he was before the 2009 season.
So, I still wasn’t convinced on the Rangers signing Oswalt. But, I’m a stats guy. I look at them and try to analyze the person’s performance.
For his career, Oswalt is 159-93 with a 3.21 ERA. He’s pitched 20 complete games in his 11 year career and averaged 220 innings and 180 strikeouts per year. He spent a little more than nine full seasons with the Houston Astros, amassing a 143-82 record. He won 20 games in 2004 and 2005.
He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies midway through the 2010 season and posted a 7-1 record and a 1.74 ERA. Oswalt was 1-1 in postseason play in 2010 with a sub 2.00 ERA. The Phillies lost to the eventual World Series champions San Francisco Giants.
The 2011 season was a mixed bag for Oswalt as he finished 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA. Back problems pretty much made him a non-factor in a rotation that included Roy Halladay, former Rangers ace Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels.
Oswalt has an opportunity to regain his form and provide veteran leadership to a young Rangers rotation. As things stand now, the Rangers starting rotation would include Colby Lewis, 32, Matt Harrison, 26, a pair of 25-year-old hurlers in Darvish and Derek Holland and 23-year-old converted closer Neftali Feliz.
The only question at this point is can Oswalt do it? Can he become the dominant pitcher he was before the 2011 season and anchor a solid pitching staff? Also, can the Rangers afford that one-year, $10 million asking price?