Chris Young’s Bullpen Reconstruction
Going into the offseason I think everybody knew that the bullpen was going to be the main focus of the Rangers offseason moves. With numerous free agent relievers available Chris Young had his work cut out for him. Chris Young has made a flurry of reliever signings.
First, Chris young started out with signing former Seattle Mariners prospect Luis Curvelo who is currently 24 years old. He started his pro ball career in 2019 in the Dominican summer league. He has a career minor league ball ERA of 3.51. This year he tossed a 2.57 ERA in 66 2/3 innings in AA. MLB Insider Jon Morosi on twitter/X said this at the GM Meetings. Reliever Luis Curvelo is (quietly) one of the most popular free agents at the GM Meetings. Curvelo, who just turned 24, is a minor league free agent after 6 seasons in the Mariners system. Seattle didn’t have room for him on their 40-man, but another team may. Chris Young signed him to a Major League deal 5 days later.
Next Chris Young inked Former Baltimore right hander Jacob Webb on a one year deal worth 1.25 million. Webb tossed a 3.02 ERA in 2024 with the Orioles in 56 2/3 innings. Webb has a great change-up that is very effective for him. He held opponents to a .125 batting average on it. Jacob Webb’s pitch mix consists of a four-seam fastball, sweeper, and a change-up like I mentioned. Webb was non-tendered by the Orioles therefore making him a free agent. He was a guy I thought the Rangers all over and it looks like I was correct.
Next up Chris Young signed North Texas native Hoby Milner to a one year contract worth 2.5 million dollar contract. Milner was also a non-tender player the Rangers signed. Hoby Milner is a funky throwing left-handed reliever who previously spent the last 4 year with the Milwaukee Brewers tossing a 3.64 ERA in those 4 years. While Milner had a 4.73 ERA last year his FIP was good at 3.14. Most likely meaning he ran into some bad luck. Milner’s pitch mix has a sweeper, sinker, four-seamer, and a change-up. Hoby doesn’t walk many guys which is one of the things the Rangers like about him. I think he is a good fit as well because he is a ground ball pitcher and our infield defense is really good.
Chris Young’s next bullpen addition came via the Nathaniel Lowe trade that being Robert Garcia. I was bummed when Lowe was traded, but Robert Garcia was an amazing get. He has years of control left before free agency, and his analytical numbers look great. Garcia looks to be in a high leverage role this year which we all hope he succeed. . Though he posted a 4.22 ERA he was still really good. His xERA was in the 97th percentile at a 2.53 xERA, his FIP was at a 2.38. His off-speed run value, Barrel %, and Hard-Hit % are at 98th percentile which is really good. He also has a 94th percentile in chase rate %, and a 90th percentile in K % which are really good stats to have.
A day later Chris Young signed Shawn Armstrong to a one year deal. You may look at his stats from last year and be like why did we sign this guy. However if you look at his stats from 2023 then that tells the story. Armstrong tossed a strong 1.38 ERA in 52 innings. Maybe the Rangers can get close to his production from that year he had with the Rays in 2023. This move intrigues me because Armstrong has a mutual connection with the Rangers now. Cole Figueroa (now the assistant GM for the Rangers)who was the director of baseball operations I’m pretty sure when Shawn Armstrong had his really good season in 2023.
After the new year in early January Chris Young wasn’t done, and went and signed Arlington native Chris Martin. He signed a one year deal worth 5.5 million dollars. Chris Martin is another guy I wanted the Rangers to get. Eventually I heard that we met with him at the Winter Meetings which were held in Dallas. After that I had a good feeling that we were going to land him, and he would take on the 8th inning role or the closer role depending if the Rangers signed a closer. Chris Martin has been a very good reliever throughout his career and has been good in high leverage situations. Martin also rarely walks hitters so the Rangers sure liked that about him and I’m sure fans will too.
Chris Young’s latest addition that I think is flying under the radar is J.T. Chargois on a minor league deal. who had a 2.23 ERA last year with the Marlins and the Mariners. Chargois has a career 3.35 ERA and has had an ERA under 3 since 2021. I am questioning why he got a minor league deal, but I have came to the conclusion it maybe because of the amount of innings he has thrown the past couple years. His pitch repertoire consists of Sinker and Slider mix, the slider is kind of similar to Jon Gray’s. Chargois sinker last year had a +8 run value as well.
Here is my prediction of what the opening day bullpen will look like right now
CL: Chris Martin
SU: Robert Garcia
SU: Jacob Webb
MRP: Hoby Milner
MRP: Shawn Armstrong
MRP: Jacob Latz
MRP: J.T. Chargois/ Jesse Chavez/ Marc Church
LRP: Dane Dunning
