12:55pm: Lewis can earn up to $4MM in incentives based on games started and active service time.
11:59am: The Rangers and Colby Lewis have agreed to a one-year contract extension for 2013 according to John Blake, the team's Executive Vice President of Communications (on Twitter). Lewis' deal is worth $2MM in guaranteed money plus incentives, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (on Twitter). The Octagon client had been on track for free agency this coming offseason, but he's on the 60-day disabled list and hasn't pitched since July.
Lewis, 33, signed a two-year, $5MM contract with the Rangers in January of 2010 after pitching in Japan for two years. The deal worked out well for the Rangers, who exercised their 2012 club option for Lewis after the guaranteed portion of the two-year deal expired.
The right-hander has started 16 games for this year's Rangers team, posting a 3.43 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 1.2 BB/9 in 105 innings. However, he last pitched on July 18th and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2012 season and the beginning of the 2013 season with a torn flexor tendon. From 2010-12, Lewis posted a 3.93 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 506 1/3 innings with Texas.
The Rangers' projected 2013 rotation includes Lewis, Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Matt Harrison. Martin Perez and Neftali Feliz could also contribute, but Ryan Dempster will hit free agency.
Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.
Nice move. Weak FA class and he’s been solid for them when healthy.
Also, am I the only one who thinks that Octagon is a really creepy name for an agency? Sounds like some Bond villain nonsense.
That’s fantastic. Will be a boost to the rotation whenever he’s healthy. Colbra is nails in the post season.
A mistake. It would have been better to go after Dempster or let Ogando go back to the rotation where he belongs.
Mistake??? Colby on a one year deal for 2-4 million or Dempster for 8-12 million per, for 3-5 years??? Yes, i would rather see Ogando in the rotation, but for that price, that is money that a MLB team can not afford not to spend.
I think we disagree on the signing because we disagree on Colby’s potential. I see a guy who has a chronic hip problem and now has had arm problems and who is starting to age. Wash doesn’t do well with aging veterans whose skills are declining. It is yet to be seen what Dempster will command and my first choice is Ogando anyway. I think he would be the best of all three fo them if given a chance in the rotation next year. I also hope they aren’t giving up on trying Ross in the rotation.
The disagreement should also be about what Dempster is going to get. Dempster will be lucky to get 3 years at his age. 2 years, $22m is probably where Dempster ends us. Lewis was approaching a 3 year $25m to $27m before he went down. If Lewis returns to form, Texas has a GREAT bargain. If he doesn’t, it is a small cost (risk).
Actual numbers might be a tick off, as they are simply guesses. There is truely no telling how many years Dempster will get on the open market. Eitherway, we are both saying the same thing – Colby at 2-4 million is a risk that you have to take.
My problem isn’t with the money either way. My problem is I think a better pitcher could be put in that spot.
Colby potential is exactly what he is. He is a solid innings eater, but not great or a ace. I am sure that Ogando and Ross will both be given chances to start in the spring. But with the way this roster is constructed, the chances of Ross and/or/both Ogando staying in the pen are that much greater with this club friendly signing. If healthy Colby starts along with Darvish, Holland, Harrison and Perez/Feliz/(whoever else).
$4 million dollars max for Colby Lewis is a great deal. Even if he isn’t back to form next year when he’s healthy it isn’t a huge expense.
Could not agree more. 2-4 million for a SP is money well spent.
Really good deal. He has been a very good pitcher the past few years, and $4M is around what freddy garcia got and he is way worse.
Man I wish Colby was healthy to pitch in the playoffs this year.
He’s been great last two postseasons.
Even if he doesn’t pitch for us next year due to recovering from surgery, we owe him at least that for the last couple of years that he has been such a bargain.
A good deal: solid 3 in rotation who can eat innings and allows flexibility to pursue another ace and/or develop a youngster for 2014.
An absolute no-brainer for the Rangers. They can now let Dempster go (and not chase Greinke, et al) and spend their money on locking in Hamilton.
Dempster has been pretty terrific. I’d be happy to make him an offer and not break the bank on Hamilton.
This is a really good deal for the Rangers. They are not having to spend much money on a solid starting pitcher whom they know and love. There is always a big risk when spending money on a guy with a long-term injury, but I think it is well worth it considering the talent that Colby Lewis has.
I read this as up to $4 million in incentives plus $2 million guaranteed. Other article says team hopes to get him back by midseason, this is really a $4-$12 million contract.
This is a really good deal for the Rangers. $4 million for a quality starter like Lewis is a bargain. Even if he doesn’t return to the same form he had before the injury, it’ll still be a good value for the Rangers