The Rangers have signed right-hander Tyson Ross to a minor league contract, per a club announcement. The Wasserman client won’t be in Major League camp and will instead report to Spring Training with the minor league rehab group, per the announcement.
Ross, 33, opted out of the 2020 season and hasn’t pitched at the big league level since an ugly 2019 run with the Tigers (35 1/3 innings, 6.11 ERA). He’s battled shoulder and elbow troubles throughout his career, including a thoracic outlet procedure back in 2016. This’ll be the second Rangers stint for Ross, who was with the club in 2017 as well.
While injuries have derailed much of Ross’ career, there was a point where he was one of the better young starters in the National League. From 2013-15, Ross tallied 516 2/3 innings with the Padres and turned in a tidy 3.07 ERA with a 24.6 percent strikeout rate. That mark was more impressive at that point, as the league-average strikeout rate for hitters in that three-year span was 20.2 percent — a good bit lower than today’s average 23.4 percent.
Ross hasn’t had much success since that first Padres run, thanks primarily to injuries, but he did mix in a solid 2018 showing amid a series of injury-marred seasons. He returned to the Padres as a free agent in the 2017-18 offseason and gave them 22 starts of 4.45 ERA ball before being traded to the Cardinals and pitching well out of their bullpen. All in all, that 2018 season resulted in 149 2/3 innings of 4.15 ERA output — a far cry from his 2013-15 peak but still plenty useful for both clubs whose uniform he donned.
It’s anyone’s guess whether Ross can shake off the rust and the persistent injuries and return to form in a second go-around in Arlington. That he won’t report to big league camp indicates that he’ll be more of a mid-season option than a candidate to crack the Opening Day roster, but Ross is a no-risk veteran depth stash with a fair bit of MLB success under his belt. There’s no harm in seeing what he can bring to the table at this point, and if he does regain his form, he’s a versatile pitcher familiar with multiple roles who can help the Rangers navigate a 162-game slate that will prove challenging after last year’s 60-game schedule.
Round 37
Cole Hamels is still a free agent. Someone sign him. One of my favorite pitcher.
He’s probably available on a one year deal
He’s previously pitched for Maddon
He’s from San Diego (not OC but really close)
I’ve been thinking in the back of my mind the Angels might grab him. Then again I thought we’d grab Melancon but $3 million was too much.
Slider in a word and a very nasty one at that. Was a stud for the Pads!
As Padre fans at the time, we had just watched Corey Luebke go from ace material to injured / done and then Tyson basically comes in and rises to ace and then injured / done. Tragic story for both for sure and their health is more important than the game. Just remembering as a fan at the time how these seemed to piggyback on each other for a double whammy!
Swing a trade for Joe Ross as well!
one has to wonder if the Slider is the source of much of his injury issues. My memory of that 3 year run with the Padres is that he threw the the slider more than any pitcher (or near the top) in MLB.
Fine depth piece. I have to admit, even though our rotation is weak, I do like the depth. I think the rotation ends up looking like this:
Gibson
Dunning
Arihara
Folty
Yang
That’d be fine along with Cody, Ross, and Benjamin.
Gibson was frustrating as a 4th or 5th guy. Sorry to hear that.
I expect him to bounce back to a 4.00 ERA guy. That’s not an ace, but he’s just our first starter.
Don’t forget Lyles…I hope he’s out of the rotation but he’s probably included in there
that rotation is shaky asf !!!
A subtle tank team remember?
yeah it f#kn shows
Not as much as BAL or PIT
Not that far ahead either
Yes but relax, the Rangers window starts in 2023
lol I’m not a
Rangers fan bro
In 2022 we’ll be in the WC race. This isn’t just homerism either.
do u get pissed at ur teams owners for playing this game with ur team ?
I think the last three years were a mistake, but this past season I have seen serious strides made. They never truly committed to any path, and they got screwed by that decision (or lack thereof). All we really need come next off-season is starting pitching and with how deep that market will be, I am very excited.
Progress is being made, and I expect a decent team to be fielded come 2022.
As for the owners, they suck. This team needs new owners and a new scouting department, but the front office seems to be good whenever JD has another voice in the room. Get new ownership and finally make the moves that they have gotten gun-shy of. We can compete; they just need to allow it.
I’m a Yankee fan yeah I know alot of us assholes but I’ve been a fan since early 90s so I’m not just a banwagon fan because of there money n free agent splurges some of there signings do piss me off n the owners now r not what they used to be I just wonder how ppl put up with there team tanking year n year out if it were me I think I’d change team answer me this tho why the hell did they trade Elvis Andrus ??? I don’t get it
Of course the trade of an icon is hard to see, but it kind of had to happen. The Rangers are getting a serious salary dump, and the catcher they got (Johan Heim) looks to be a future starter and maybe even our future catcher if Huff moves to DH or 1B. I, personally, like the deal.
Those are the deals we just haven’t pulled the trigger on in the past, now we are. We have been aggressive this off-season, and I love it. This is how we will have to act if we want to compete in the near future. I like it.
After having a competing window from 2010 – 2016, the Rangers had to do something and a rebuild (tanking) is necessary at times. HOU and CHC did it and it workout for them. PIT and BAL is doing it and so are the Rangers but that will change eventually. Andrus was traded because he’s older, still wanting to start at SS and he was not the best defender on the roster. He will play well and help a competing A’s team win the division (IMO) so it works out for the Rangers and the A’s. The A’s are trying to capitalize on the failings of ANA and HOU as their window closes. I think the Rangers and SEA are gonna compete for the division from 2023 and beyond. The Rangers will likely try and take a couple steps forward in 2022 but I think they legitimately compete in 2023.
fair call thanks
Good explanation Chev. I say that we will be a WC contender in 22′, but I think that we will be true contenders come 2023 as well. I just think that in 22′ we have a good shot at sneaking in.
They will need to be in line to buy tickets to the WS. Triple A talent clubs don’t play in the WS.
That’s the rotation I’m hoping for. I have no desire to ever see Lyles start again, and at least Dunning, Arihara and Yang are unknowns. There’s some intrigue in that, even if expectations are relatively low.
If you are a veteran pitcher with a beating heart, you can get a contract.
He feels like the type of guy that has pitched for 15 years and 16 different teams.
TYSON ROSS
I am guessing the Ross brothers had a father or coach who pushed them very hard. Both could have been too starters for most of the past decade but both have arms made of glass. Since it seems to be a common theme with both of them, I am guessing it goes back to their use in their teenage playing days. Someone definitely rode those arms hard.
Tyson’s a chicken.
Ugh, he was awful the first time he was with us. Not holding my breath…
If he’s competent I’ll be pleasantly surprised
It’s a minor league deal….might not even make the big league club
Cashner did a good hob when he was here and is a free agent. Can start or relieve. Still throws in the mid 90’s. He is better than what we have now.
Cashner did a good job when he was here and is a free agent. Can start or relieve.
I think when your #1 SP is Kyle Gibson, as is the case with Texas, any signing has to be met with less skepticism. Just wonder why Ross and his reps couldn’t wangle an invite to ST where other teams can take a look at how he fares.. Ross was once a top 15 pitcher in the NL a lifetime ago and he was kind of decent as late as 2018. Walks have always been a bugaboo for him and he led the NL in that department with 84 in 2015.. The 4 starters after Gibson: Dunning, Jordan Lyles, Foltynewicz, and Kohei Arihara don’t scream out solid by any means. I just have to wonder if Ross can find his way to some legitimation on the staff?
all it means is Ross wolnt be playing the 1st team guys. guys in minicamp can move to regular ST whenever a team wants, its just a matter of limiting the guys in one area.
Good luck, Rangers.
He won’t make your ML team and will go home when he has to go the minors. That elbow is just waiting to finally snap.
He needs to trade his first name for his last name.
Tyson “The Lock Ross”
Texas has to lead the league in minor league signings this year. With only 4 affiliated minor league teams now, where are they going to play all of these guys? I assume they still have roster limits for AAA, AA, A+ and A ball. It seems like Texas has signed a full AAA team this offseason.