This is a discussion on Rangers Signed Some Names within the Texas Rangers forum at Strike 3 Forums; Rangers signed LHP Eddie Guardado, who had been with the Reds, to a one-year, $...

love_that_reefer · **Rangers Signed Some Names -** 01-11-2008, 08:09 PM

Rangers signed LHP Eddie Guardado, who had been with the Reds, to a one-year, $2 million contract.
He can make $1.5 million in bonuses based on games and an additional $2.5 million in bonuses based on games finished. Guardado shouldn't be the Rangers' best or second-best reliever, but because of all of his experience, he will be a candidate to close if C.J. Wilson struggles. Otherwise, he'll probably be rather average as a seventh-inning guy and occasional one-out lefty.

Rangers re-signed RHP Jamey Wright to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Wright had a 3.65 ERA in nine starts and 11 relief appearances for the Rangers last season, but that wasn't enough to get him a major league deal. Texas is looking at him as a middle reliever now.

Rangers needed some help in the pen but don't see Eddy doing much any more except eating innings in a blow out, right before the backup catcher pitches. Wright faired well for them so he should have gotten more.

brewersfan19 · **Re: Rangers Signed Some Names -** 01-11-2008, 08:15 PM

I suppose those are all low risk pitchers. The Rangers must be going with the pitching by committee theory this year.

Could be possibly all good signings and use them all in the bullpen, maybe?

catman · **Re: Rangers Signed Some Names -** 01-12-2008, 12:43 AM

"everyday" Eddie could be a good pickup for the Rangers. He is a couple of seasons removed from Tommy John surgery and could be back to his form that got him into 2 all-star games with the Twins and had him closing games for Seattle and then Cincinnati.

brewersfan19 · **Re: Rangers Signed Some Names -** 01-12-2008, 07:12 AM

It is worth the risk, that is for sure.

Molina00 · **Re: Rangers Signed Some Names -** 01-12-2008, 12:27 PM

I was just coming on to post about this, but you beat me to it. Oh well.

I'm not just a big fan of Guardado, but he has had some great years as a closer in the past. If he even pitches average for Texas it would have been a good signing for just a couple mil.

Holding on to Wright was a good move. Not many pitchers are capable of posting an ERA around three and a half in Texas. He still had a bit of a control problem walking 41 in 77 innings, but still managed to have the best year of his career in terms of ERA.