Chris Woodward happy with Rangers' 'huge' pitching signings, says team could add more or shift focus to third base - The Dallas Morning News

SAN DIEGO — One of the final questions that Chris Woodward fielded in his media session at MLB’s winter meetings was about a pressing need for the Rangers entering the offseason. The Texas manager was asked if starting pitching remained a top need for his club.

With the Rangers having recently signed Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles — two established starting pitchers — Woodward made it clear that it wasn’t the priority of the week.

“I think getting those two guys was huge, so we got them off of the table,” Woodward said. “It helps us to know that we have those four guys. … Now that we have four, it puts all our minds at ease at least we have four legitimate starters with our younger guys competing for the fifth spot.”

Woodward had been on record late in the regular season in saying that only Mike Minor and Lance Lynn had earned a rotation spot heading into next season. It placed a serious emphasis on Texas’ front office to address the need at starting pitcher.

Instead of signing a marquee name, the Rangers have signed two starters with a track record of being able to pitch every five days and give serviceable efforts.

“Anytime you can fill those spots with legitimate guys who have track records, we feel like both those guys have a lot more than they have done in their career,” Woodward said. “Not that they haven’t done well. … It gives us more options to move forward, and we don’t really have to — it’s not hanging over our heads.”

In particular, Woodward said they believe Lyles showed in the latter half of the 2019 season that he has a chance to take a step forward — specifically citing his curveball. He also said Lyles is using his four-seam fastball more, when he previously had been more apt to throw the two-seam.

Lyles was 12-8 with a 4.15 ERA in 28 starts last season with Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.

“Honestly,” Woodward said, “I think Jordan is scratching the surface on finding out how good he can be.”

With Gibson, Woodward acknowledged there’s more of a proven track record. He’s made at least 25 starts in each of the last six seasons. Last year with the Twins, he was 13-7 with a 4.84 ERA in 29 starts and 34 overall appearances.

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The priorities clearly lie at signing a third baseman — even Woodward acknowledged as much, going so far as to say he’d like to see it done soon. And clearly, the Rangers already addressed a serious need by finding starting pitching.

Even so, Woodward noted that there might still be room to get another starter before the season.

“We don’t need another starting pitcher, but I think I will always invite another starting pitcher,” Woodward said. “Anytime you can have five solidified guys, I do love our guys, I’m biased with our own guys that we have, the younger guys.

“But if we go out and sign another pitcher, obviously I think it will only help us because it will put the rest of the guys as depth.”

Twitter: @SamBlum3

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Chris Woodward happy with Rangers' 'huge' pitching signings, says team could add more or shift focus to third base - The Dallas Morning News
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