MLB
Lance Lynn Signs with Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers signed starter Lance Lynn to a three-year, $30 million deal. Lance Lynn gives the Rangers something they so desperately need in 2019; innings. After a miserable 2018 season, the Rangers are looking for starters while they continue to rebuild their team. He’ll join Mike Minor, Edinson Volquez, and Drew Smyly in the rotation. Lynn made a name for himself with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2012-2015. He had Tommy John back in 2016 and then came back and had the worst season of his career in 2017. In 2018, Lynn spent time with both the Twins and the Yankees. On the year, he was 10-10 with a 4.77 ERA and 161 strikeouts.
Charlie Morton Signs with Tampa Bay Rays
One of the bigger splash deals yesterday was the Tampa Bay Rays signing Charlie Morton to a two-year, $30 million contract. The Tampa Bay Rays were a huge surprise in 2018; they won 90 games with the “opener” and had the AL Cy Young Award winner in Blake Snell. Morton joins the Rays in a tough AL East division as he’ll head the rotation with Snell and Tyler Glasnow. Morton had a career-year in 2018. He was 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA and 201 strikeouts. He has played the last two seasons with the Houston Astros and closed out the World Series in 2017. He’ll provide a huge boost to their rotation as the Rays look to make a splash in 2019.
Jeurys Familia Returns to the New York Mets
The Mets brought back reliever Jeurys Familia to a three-year, $30 million deal. After the Mets traded him to Oakland in July, Familia is back with the team that started his career. He most likely serve as the set-up man to Edwin Díaz and will close games when Díaz needs a rest day. Familia was strong but also a little shaky in 2018. He was 8-6 with a 3.13 ERA, 18 saves, and 83 strikeouts. As the new Mets front office group looks to continue to address multiple holes on the team, they helped bolster their bullpen by re-gaining their previous closer. Familia will look to regain his past dominance in his return to the Mets.
Joe Kelly Signs with Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have signed reliever Joe Kelly to a three-year, $25 million deal. He has made 182 appearances for the Red Sox over the past five seasons and is the first key contributor from the 2018 team to leave Boston. Kelly quietly dominated throughout the season with the Red Sox. He finished the year 4-2 with an ERA of 4.39 with two saves and 68 strikeouts. He pitched mostly in key situations for the Red Sox and will likely do the same with the Dodgers. Kelly fills a much-needed hole for the Dodgers one weak spot on their roster; their bullpen.
Tanner Roark Traded to the Cincinnati Reds
The Nationals are sending starter Tanner Roark to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Tanner Rainey. Roark was expected to be part of the Nationals star-studded rotation with Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and recently acquired Patrick Corbin. Instead, Tanner Roark is heading to the re-building Reds for the 2019 season. Roark had an up-and-down 2018 season with the Nationals. He finished 9-15 with a 4.34 ERA and 46 strikeouts with the team. Roark is expected to lead a young Reds rotation for 2019 and beyond.
Photo Credit to Keith Allison via Flickr
