The Rangers announced that right-hander Buck Farmer has been signed to a minor league deal. Farmer will report to Triple-A Round Rock.
After being released by the Tigers earlier this week, Farmer will move on to the second organization of his nine-year professional career. Farmer was a fifth-round pick for Detroit in the 2013 draft and he made his big league debut the very next season, beginning an eight-season run in the Tigers’ bullpen (with a few appearances as a starting pitcher). While Farmer’s career 5.33 ERA over 320 2/3 innings isn’t impressive, it isn’t entirely indicative of a player who has been at times been a very valuable multi-inning workhorse out of the pen.
The 2021 season itself reflects Farmer’s inconsistency. He posted a 12.66 ERA over his first 10 2/3 innings, resulting in the Tigers designing the right-hander for assignment. Farmer cleared waivers and was called back up to the active roster in June, then posting a 3.65 ERA over his next 24 2/3 frames.
Farmer is controlled through the 2022 season, and the Rangers are only responsible for a prorated league minimum salary for Farmer in 2021 if he reaches their MLB roster — Detroit is paying the rest of what remains of Farmer’s $1.85MM salary for the 2021 campaign. There isn’t much risk on the Rangers’ part in taking a look at what Farmer has to offer, as the team looks ahead to putting some potential pieces together for its 2022 team.
Perfect new home, is it hunting season?
Not yet, hunting season starts when Joe Buck announces the World Series
Ugh Joe Buck
Yes, @nmendoza7.
It is.
Here in the Midwest, some small game seasons opened in Nebraska on August 1. & North Dakota opened up geese last Sunday. Been to the Red River twice already as I love a wild goose chase.
Also: I recall Buck Farmer absolutely throttling the Yanks out of the Tigers ‘pen a couple years ago.
Ducky, you perplex me… are you a yanks fan of the Midwest?
Good.
But: grew up in the Bronx. Came to MN for college. Lived a few places, then ended up coming back here years later. I like it out here.
I’ll always be a Yanks & Jints fan though no matter where I am.
I respect that Ducky. Cheers
Hunter right here too
The Rangers bullpen has been killed by injuries. They just need some guys to eat some innings for the remainder of the season.
I wouldn’t go that far. They still have plenty of guys to throw innings to.. Patton, Martin, Barlow (minor blister issue) and Snyder are solid. Santana, Sborz and Anderson are serviceable. Cotton and Evans are being evaluated for next year. Joe Gatto, Jacob Lemoine and maybe even Chase Lee are minor league candidates to see action soon. John King and Arihara will be off the IL within a couple weeks.
This is all about low risk, no reward. AAA audition for Farmer. If he stinks, he never sees the bigs. If he kills it, the Rangers may have inherited themselves a buy low late inning asset, like what they had in Ian Kennedy this year.
I wouldn’t put Buck Farmer in the same class as Ian Kennedy, but directionally you’re right.
It must be beyond frustrating to be one of those 29 year olds stuck in AAA, earning AAA money to put up 3.50 ERAs year after year while guys like this who have never really produced get recycled at major league rates.
I see your point, but I still salute any player that makes it to a big league team.
Look at his record. The overall numbers are.great, but he had several solid seasons. Until this years set back, he had been improving.
Good pickup. He’s not bad
Oh no; he’s very bad. Worse, he’s not even good at AAA.
He has a true “Real McCoys” name.