The Rangers acquired right-hander Daniel Duarte from the Reds, per announcements from both clubs. The Reds, who designated Duarte for assignment on the weekend, will receive cash considerations in return. The Rangers now have a full 40-man roster.
Duarte, 27, got a cup-of-coffee debut with the Reds in 2022, pitching 2 2/3 innings. He got a more sizable chunk of big league time last year, tossing 31 2/3 frames. In those two seasons combined, he has a 4.19 earned run average, though with less-impressive peripherals. His 46.5% ground ball rate is strong but his 16.7% strikeout rate and 15.3% walk rate are both a few ticks worse than league average. His .221 batting average on balls in play and 79.8% strand rate are both on the lucky side of par and seem to have helped him keep runs from scoring, which is why his 6.16 FIP and 5.68 SIERA are less shiny than his ERA.
The righty has generally done a decent job punching out Triple-A hitters, but has also walked them at a high clip. In 46 2/3 innings at Triple-A over the past three seasons, he has struck out 26.8% of hitters that have come to the plate and gotten a decent amount of ground balls, but has also sent 11.6% of opponents to first via base on balls, as well as hitting 3.5% of them with a pitch.
Despite the control issues, the Rangers are likely enticed by the combination of strikeouts and ground balls. Duarte has an option remaining and won’t need to be guaranteed a spot on the active roster. He’s also at least two years away from qualifying for arbitration and comes with five potential years of club control, while a season spent largely on optionable assignment could push that into the future by another year.
Despite winning the World Series last year, the bullpen was an obvious weak spot for the Rangers. Since hoisting the trophy, they lost Aroldis Chapman, Will Smith and Chris Stratton to free agency. They signed Kirby Yates as their most significant upgrade to date and may not be able to top that. The payroll may not have a ton of space due to uncertainty around the broadcast revenues. The club has given minor league deals to pitchers like Shane Greene, Diego Castillo, Austin Pruitt, Jonathan Holder and Jesús Tinoco.
Shame
Looks like they got their bullpen help lol…
Buffalo Bob got some more cash.
Hopefully, if your Reds are in contention for a playoff spot this year, Po Boy pulls the trigger at the trade deadline unlike last year.
Rangers throwing darts at bullpen castoffs to see what sticks
Power arm with decent stuff and MLB experience. Rangers made a move because they knew he wouldn’t get to them on waivers
Sound move by Texas. Has an option and I think would have built on last years experience in the Reds pen. A quality depth piece at least.
yeah, that’s not entirely new to the organization. they also LOVE to sign guys that have, at least once, gone through TJ.
He’s a sweet ERA/+ sour FIP guy.
Wonderful add! They should mention he began his professional career with Texas, though.
Great article monitor monitor
Improve the walk rate and he’s capable.
This is the best we can do as defending champs… Embarrassing… Honestly embarrassing CY
Until they have a resolution on their TV contract they won’t make any bigger signings. I think Jan 19th is the next court date.
enticed by what strikeouts? shouldn’t a reliever avg at least a strikeout per inning?
Can never have enough pitching depth. Good pickup. Now get it over and sign Montgomery.
Reds giving up a good reliever.
With a full roster you gotta give one up to get one. Reds needed to open up a spot for Brent Suter.
Standard off-season move. Throw several relievers against the wall, see if any stick. Option or release the others.
What’s a cup of coffee debut?
Means his debut was only long enough to have a cup of coffee. It’s a term that was coined (and I think only used) in baseball.
Dating back over 100 years too.
Winston’s brother?
Most traded player in MLB history: Cash Considerations, I wonder if related to Dave Cash.
That Player to be named later (who I always call Crash Davis) is pretty popular too.
Gives up dingerz.
The question is, whether losing Duarte was worth keeping Jose Barrero on the 40 man roster. We’ll get the answer to that in due time.
Reds already have 23 pichers on the 40man roster. unolikely they would further reduce the # of position players to 16. What it tells me is how much Derek Johnson and Nick Krall like legumina, Roa, Spiers,and Stout.
The Reds acquire Pile O. Cash in the deal.
Some great philosopher said Cash was just as good as Money.
Rangers should get Moore help and get serious about improving.