With Wednesday's deadline to sign Yu Darvish quickly approaching, the Texas Rangers need to get this deal done.Darvish is critical for the club's rotation in 2012 and for the foreseeable future.
First, the Rangers must trust their scouts and front-office personnel. And the club is convinced that Darvish has the ability to be a front-line starter for years to come. They were sure enough that GM Jon Daniels and CEO Nolan Ryan convinced ownership to pull out the checkbook and, as long as a deal is completed by the deadline, hand over $52.7 million to Darvish's team in Japan before even paying him a contract that could make the investment worth $120-130 million.
Yes, it's a risk. But this club has gone from an also-ran in the American League West to the two-time defending AL champions in large part because of its ability to scout and obtain talented players. It's time to trust those folks again.
Darvish is 25 years old. He's entering what should be the prime of his career. He has great fastball command, an assortment of pitches and the ability to make batters swing and miss. There will certainly be an adjustment period for Darvish in coming to the big leagues. But just as he hasn't faced major league hitters, they haven't seen him, either. Advantage: Pitcher.
As of now, the Rangers enter the 2012 season with one veteran -- 33-year-old Colby Lewis -- and four young starters:
• Derek Holland showed that he could be ready to take a huge next step after the second half of 2011 and a great start in Game 4 of the World Series. But he's still maturing.
• Matt Harrison has to show he can back up his 2011 season and stay healthy in 2012.
• Alexi Ogando was an All-Star in the first half of 2011, but ran out of gas. Can he build up enough stamina to start should Darvish not sign?
• And what about Neftali Feliz? He's going to get his chance in the rotation this season, but no one knows for sure how he'll handle the transition.
In other words: The club could still use a top-level arm. Darvish fits that mold. Despite the unknowns of bringing his game to the majors, he has a solid track record and the potential to become one of the club's top starters in the years to come.
Texas believed in Darvish enough that it watched C.J. Wilson sign with the rival Angels. The Rangers know they need another big arm and Darvish provides that. Get him signed and let's see what he can do.
First, the Rangers must trust their scouts and front-office personnel. And the club is convinced that Darvish has the ability to be a front-line starter for years to come. They were sure enough that GM Jon Daniels and CEO Nolan Ryan convinced ownership to pull out the checkbook and, as long as a deal is completed by the deadline, hand over $52.7 million to Darvish's team in Japan before even paying him a contract that could make the investment worth $120-130 million.
Yes, it's a risk. But this club has gone from an also-ran in the American League West to the two-time defending AL champions in large part because of its ability to scout and obtain talented players. It's time to trust those folks again.
Darvish is 25 years old. He's entering what should be the prime of his career. He has great fastball command, an assortment of pitches and the ability to make batters swing and miss. There will certainly be an adjustment period for Darvish in coming to the big leagues. But just as he hasn't faced major league hitters, they haven't seen him, either. Advantage: Pitcher.
As of now, the Rangers enter the 2012 season with one veteran -- 33-year-old Colby Lewis -- and four young starters:
• Derek Holland showed that he could be ready to take a huge next step after the second half of 2011 and a great start in Game 4 of the World Series. But he's still maturing.
• Matt Harrison has to show he can back up his 2011 season and stay healthy in 2012.
• Alexi Ogando was an All-Star in the first half of 2011, but ran out of gas. Can he build up enough stamina to start should Darvish not sign?
• And what about Neftali Feliz? He's going to get his chance in the rotation this season, but no one knows for sure how he'll handle the transition.
In other words: The club could still use a top-level arm. Darvish fits that mold. Despite the unknowns of bringing his game to the majors, he has a solid track record and the potential to become one of the club's top starters in the years to come.
Texas believed in Darvish enough that it watched C.J. Wilson sign with the rival Angels. The Rangers know they need another big arm and Darvish provides that. Get him signed and let's see what he can do.
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