The Rangers have signed right-hander Derek Law to a minor league deal, as per a team press release. Law will receive an invitation to the team’s Major League Spring Training camp.
The Blue Jays non-tendered Law in December rather than go through the arbitration process with the 29-year-old. MLBTR’s Matt Swartz projected Law to receive a $1.3MM arbitration salary in 2020, coming on a heels of a 2019 campaign that saw Law post a 4.90 ERA, 9.9 K/9, and 1.68 K/BB rate over 60 2/3 innings for Toronto. It marked Law’s heaviest workload since his 2016 rookie season, though he has been an inconsistent performer since that breakout campaign, with a 5.25 ERA and 1.2 HR/9 over 111 1/3 innings since the start of the 2017 season.
On the plus side for Law is a solid 94.7mph fastball and his 50% grounder rate last season, his highest since that 2016 rookie year. There isn’t much risk for Texas in seeing what Law can do in camp as the Rangers continue to amass more bullpen depth. Law joins Luis Garcia, Nick Goody, Juan Nicasio, Joely Rodriguez, Brian Flynn, and Jimmy Herget as experienced relief options who will be battling for jobs on the Opening Day roster.
Rangers29
IT’S THE LAW and that’s a fact!
All American Johnsonville Dogs
Breaking the law breaking the law!
Rangers29
In all seriousness, the rangers need to get as many Minor-League relievers, and players as possible, because besides starting pitching, there is not a lot of depth in AAA for fill-ins. Law would be a nice back of the bullpen piece, especially if he reverts back to his 2016 form where he had 2.16 era. I like this move by texas, and I hope we see more. All in all, it has been an active day for the rangers, with Duffy and Law, and i’d like to see more.
Melchez
Thinking Derek Lowe…
KermitJagger
I did too at first glance. That would be an extreme comeback.
gosodpoodles
Is Big Sexy still available? 😉
rangers13
Depth never hurts. Still need to see post of Rangers teaching trade agreement for JBell,TMancini,DSmith, JCamargo or Bryant. Tajuan Walker would be a nice add as well. If none of the above get accomplished Daniels should be gone at end of year. Thinking fans tired of the buffoon will demand it. Not opposed to seeing Puig in Ranger blue.
Rangers29
I’m not one to call for JD’S head, but I do think we need an impact bat, and Bryant is perfect. He would be a two year bridge for Jung, provide a shiny piece for the new park, and he would play 3rd while Frazier and Guzman platoon first (making both of them way more valuable). Then in two years (hopefully) Jung, Huff, and some of our young starters will be up, we will be younger, cheaper, and hopefully better. But until then we are still going to be a playoff force if we get Bryant (or anybody else you listed). I like what we are doing, but JD said we were going to be at the top of the market, and besides Kluber, that is non-existent. Go get Bryant, and then I think we can compete for a WC spot.
B-Minus21
Lol speak for yourself with your JD hatred. If Nelson Cruz catches a ball, or relievers not botch TWO 2-run leads, the Rangers win a WS in 2011 and everything is different. Following that collapse, JD was forced to make ill-advised deals to please a fanbase. The Rangers weren’t as good, but they were still relevant enough for fans to demand deadlines deals for Matt Garza’s and other spares thinking they would be the bridge back to the promised land.
Rangers29
Totally agree, when the fans run the team, that’s when you start making bad decisions. If Nelly catches that ball, OR IF IT WAS CHAVEZ IN RIGHT INSTEAD OF CRUZ, we wouldn’t have the Freese stories you see today… it all could have been different…
pbjls
run to the wall, turn around, catch ball. celebrate!
Rangers29
He skipped steps 3 and 4, and that’s why you always read the instructions.
pbjls
drift back slowly, lunge awkwardly, miss badly, crush the fans hopes and dreams.
Rangers29
All it was was a running catch… that’s it…
Narrator: “And for the next 6 months not single rangers fan was spotted, not in their chimneys nor even their houses’.”
caldo19
#DillyDilly
Ricky Adams
JD isn’t the problem, ray davis and Bob Simpson are. I think theyve been blowing smoke up fan’s ass for 4 yrs now.
charles stevens
Yep. Just imagine how different and likely better things would be right now if Cuban had won the auction.
Rangers29
Our lineup would be
Ohtani
Machado
Brantley
Harper
Rendon
J.D Martinez
Donaldson
Ramos
and our starter would be
Cole
Ricky Adams
Definitely woulda changed baseball history, probably multiple ways… jim crane would be in texas instead of houston
Ricky Adams
JD isn’t the problem, ray davis and Bob Simpson are. I think theyve been blowing smoke up fan’s ass for 4 yrs now.
Shoeless Joe's Diploma
Fill-up the minors with arms.
Texas will need 30+ pitchers before Sept.
Maybe they can trade 20 arms before trade deadline,
for a now NEEDED RH Power Bat.
Can 20 fit in a box for a Texas cheaper shipment?
Ricky Adams
JD isn’t the problem, ray davis and Bob Simpson are. I think theyve been blowing smoke up fan’s ass for 4 yrs now.
tsc32
Taijuan Walker is a waste of a deal unless he’s willing to be a reliever.
stevewpants
Breaking rocks in the hot sun…
dynamite drop in monty
DUHNT DUHNT
Coal tender
Back in the early 60’s there was a pitcher for the Pirates named Verne Law that helped them win the World Series in 1960 vs. the Yanks. This young kid is from the Pittsburgh area, I wonder if he is a relative of this old Pirate?
Rangers29
No, Derek Law’s father is Joe Law (which sounds like something a cop would tell you not to mess with), and all of Vern law’s kids start their first name with a V.
brucenewton
Verne Law’s kid Vance played in the 80’s.
charles stevens
I’m hoping the lack of spending on a bat is JD keeping his powder dry for Mookie next year.
Rangers29
Yes, just yes.
padnastikador
Only if Mookie will settle for 3 years and 30 million. That’s all the Rangers owners will approve now.
its_happening
Rangers aren’t above the Law.