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.
dodgers should give him a look….
He does have a 3.47 FIP. He ERA is awful, however. Maybe they can work their magic.
FIP.LOL.
For the sake of everyone in the NL West, do everything in your power so he does not become a Dodger.
Why are you scared, Linda?
Aren’t most of the Rangers games low-leverage situations?
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.
12 years; 3.87 career ERA; $55 million earnings.
Yeah, the leg injury had its impact but what is a “real career”?
All Star. Cy Young votes.
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.
You don’t really believe those are critical and subjective things that define a real baseball career. David Eckstein?
Two writers thought Eckstein belonged in the HOF.
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!
It’s been a lot better since. I remember Walt Weiss received a vote. Must’ve lost a bet or something.
GR had such potential prior to those injuries. He was out for a long time and never recovered his stuff.
The Mets, having pumped and dumped current former branch manager Nate Fisher, might go for it.
Back to the Angels.
Teach him a change up or splitter and he’ll be good
With an elite spin rate, maybe the rays can see him as a reclamation project.