Headlines

  • Latest On Tigers, Tarik Skubal
  • Phillies Expected To Trade Or Release Nick Castellanos
  • Nestor Cortes Undergoes Arm Surgery
  • Aaron Judge Will Not Require Elbow Surgery; Rodón, Volpe Expected To Start 2026 On IL
  • Anthony Volpe Undergoes Shoulder Surgery
  • Alex Bregman Will Opt Out Of Red Sox Contract
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Athletics
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2026-27 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Garrett Richards Reaches Free Agency

By Anthony Franco | August 23, 2022 at 9:04pm CDT

Reliever Garrett Richards has reached free agency after clearing waivers, report Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin of the Athletic (Twitter link). It isn’t clear whether the hurler was released by the Rangers or elected free agency in lieu of an outright assignment, but that’s a largely immaterial distinction. A return to the open market was the expected outcome after Texas designated him for assignment last week.

Richards, 34, signed a one-year guarantee with Texas over the offseason. A career-long starter, he was transferred to the bullpen midway through last season with the Red Sox. The right-hander had a 3.42 ERA in 26 1/3 innings in that capacity, and the Rangers took a flier to see if he’d maintain that kind of production over a full season. That didn’t wind up being the case, as Richards managed only a 5.27 ERA over 42 2/3 frames while working primarily in low-leverage situations.

Always a hard thrower, Richards has averaged a solid 94.4 MPH on his fastball and 88.6 MPH on a slider that has been his primary offering this season. He’s generated swinging strikes on a decent 12.1% of his overall pitches (narrowly above the 11.8% league average for relievers). That hasn’t resulted in many strikeouts, though, and Richards generally gives up a fair amount of hard contact. Even with a robust 52.6% ground-ball rate, he didn’t manage to consistently keep runs off the board in Arlington.

Rough ERA aside, Richards’ combination of velocity and ground-ball tendencies will surely attract some interest from clubs now that he’s available on the open market. It remains to be seen whether he’ll land an immediate major league roster spot, but he should have no shortage of minor league opportunities at the very least. There’s no financial downside for another team in checking in, as the Rangers are responsible for what remains of Richards’ $4.5MM salary this season. (Texas is also on the hook for a $1MM buyout of a 2023 club option). Any signing team would only owe Richards the prorated portion of the $700K minimum salary for any time spent on their big league roster.

If Richards signs elsewhere by September 1, he’d be eligible for the signing club’s postseason roster. That’s true regardless of whether he’s immediately added to the majors, as players in an organization but not on a club’s 40-man roster by the turn of September are still eligible for the playoffs via petition to the league office if replacing someone on the injured list.

Share Repost Send via email

Texas Rangers Transactions Garrett Richards

Martin Maldonado Reaches Vesting Option Threshold
Main
Injury Notes: Kopech, Pasquantino, Ashcraft, Tigers
View Comments (19)
Post a Comment

19 Comments

  1. dodgerskingsfan

    3 years ago

    dodgers should give him a look….

    2
    Reply
    • jonbluvin

      3 years ago

      He does have a 3.47 FIP. He ERA is awful, however. Maybe they can work their magic.

      2
      Reply
      • User 3595123227

        3 years ago

        FIP.LOL.

        Reply
  2. TradeAcuna

    3 years ago

    For the sake of everyone in the NL West, do everything in your power so he does not become a Dodger.

    Reply
    • Ya'll a bunch of salty crybabies

      3 years ago

      Why are you scared, Linda?

      1
      Reply
  3. Mr. E Team

    3 years ago

    Aren’t most of the Rangers games low-leverage situations?

    4
    Reply
  4. Halo11Fan

    3 years ago

    Before he hurt his leg he was one f the best pitchers in the game. If he didn’t blow out his leg covering first, he might not have blown out his arm and he might have had a real career.

    2
    Reply
    • Longtimecoming

      3 years ago

      12 years; 3.87 career ERA; $55 million earnings.

      Yeah, the leg injury had its impact but what is a “real career”?

      3
      Reply
      • Halo11Fan

        3 years ago

        All Star. Cy Young votes.

        2
        Reply
        • Longtimecoming

          3 years ago

          Could probably even say one of the best RH SP in AL for about a 4-5 year stretch.

          Not many guys can lay claim to that one even if they were pretty good overall.

          That injury may have derailed what could have eventually been a HOF career – no doubt there.

          2
          Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          3 years ago

          You don’t really believe those are critical and subjective things that define a real baseball career. David Eckstein?

          Reply
        • JoeBrady

          3 years ago

          Two writers thought Eckstein belonged in the HOF.

          Reply
        • Longtimecoming

          3 years ago

          Writers voting for HOF – what a joke when 13 didn’t think T Gwynn was a first ballot HOFer; I think 3 for Ripken.

          Seriousl, and those writers are supposed to be the educated decider of the fate of the players!

          1
          Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          3 years ago

          It’s been a lot better since. I remember Walt Weiss received a vote. Must’ve lost a bet or something.

          1
          Reply
    • prov356

      3 years ago

      GR had such potential prior to those injuries. He was out for a long time and never recovered his stuff.

      1
      Reply
  5. raisinsss

    3 years ago

    The Mets, having pumped and dumped current former branch manager Nate Fisher, might go for it.

    Reply
  6. kingsfan1968

    3 years ago

    Back to the Angels.

    2
    Reply
  7. Rob66

    3 years ago

    Teach him a change up or splitter and he’ll be good

    Reply
  8. atakeria

    3 years ago

    With an elite spin rate, maybe the rays can see him as a reclamation project.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Latest On Tigers, Tarik Skubal

    Phillies Expected To Trade Or Release Nick Castellanos

    Nestor Cortes Undergoes Arm Surgery

    Aaron Judge Will Not Require Elbow Surgery; Rodón, Volpe Expected To Start 2026 On IL

    Anthony Volpe Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

    Alex Bregman Will Opt Out Of Red Sox Contract

    Mike Shildt Steps Down As Padres Manager

    Tigers Extended Manager A.J. Hinch Earlier This Season

    Munetaka Murakami To Be Posted This Offseason

    Cody Bellinger To Opt Out Of Contract With Yankees

    Angels, Albert Pujols Discussing Managerial Deal

    Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026

    Rangers Hire Skip Schumaker As Manager

    Albert Pujols To Interview For Angels’ Managerial Vacancy, May Be “Leading Choice”

    Bill Schmidt Will Not Return As Rockies’ GM

    Brian Snitker Will Not Return As Braves’ Manager In 2026

    Angels To Have New Manager In 2026

    Rays Sale To Patrick Zalupski’s Group Officially Completed

    Guardians Promote Chase DeLauter For Wild Card Series

    Bruce Bochy Will Not Return As Rangers Manager Amid Financial Uncertainty

    Recent

    Latest On A.J. Preller

    Phillies Notes: Alvarado, Kemp, Thomson, Calitri

    The Opener: NLCS, ALCS, Injuries

    Latest On Tigers, Tarik Skubal

    Phillies Expected To Trade Or Release Nick Castellanos

    Nestor Cortes Undergoes Arm Surgery

    Angels Planning To Interview Torii Hunter, Kurt Suzuki For Manager

    Offseason Outlook: Arizona Diamondbacks

    Joey Loperfido Replaces Anthony Santander On Blue Jays’ Playoff Roster

    Poll: Will Anthony Volpe Be The Yankees’ Shortstop In 2026?

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Every MLB Trade In July
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Tim Dierkes' MLB Mailbag
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2026-27 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version