FREE AGENT SIGNING: Texas Rangers Sign Starting Pitcher

The World Series champs have added a free agent starter to their rotation. No, it's not top star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but rather a pitcher from the other end of the market, 7-year major league veteran Tyler Mahle. 

Right-handed starter Tyler Mahle and the Texas Rangers are in agreement on a two-year, $22 million contract, sources told ESPN. Mahle underwent Tommy John surgery in May and should return this season, and he can earn another $5 million in performance bonuses based on IP in 2025.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 14, 2023

The deal is worth $22M over two years and includes up to $5 million in performance bonuses for 2025 based on innings pitched. He'll hit free agency again at age 31.

It's a bit of a gamble for the Rangers, in that the right-hander was able to pitch in only five games for the Minnesota Twins last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery in May. He is expected to return sometime in the first half of the 2024 season.

In 122 major league starts, with the Cincinnati Reds and the Twins, Mahle has a 4.30 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 9.6 K/9. He owns a 105 ERA+, putting him just a few ticks above major league average. 

The Rangers are also hoping to get another Tommy John victim back next season, but that one with a little more impact, in Jacob deGrom. 

Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK