Rangers announced Friday that they have added two more names to the depth chart heading into spring training. Texas signed Matt Davidson and Jason Hammel to minor league deals with invitations to major league spring training.
Photo: Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY SportsHammel is the veteran of the two. He is coming off of a dismal two years with Kansas City where he signed a two year $16 million dollar deal. A starter for most of his career, he ended 2018 in the Royals bullpen. Drafted by Tampa Bay in 2002, Jason made his major league debut in 2006. In 2009 he moved on to Colorado for three years before signing with the Orioles in 2012. In 2014 he signed the Cubs. He was moved later that year to Oakland along with Jeff Samardzija. He elected free agency again after the 2015 season and signed with the Cubs again. Between 2015 and 2016 he went up and down with the Cubs. That lead to another free agent year where he signed with Kansas City. In his career he is 96-114 with a 4.62 ERA. But the last two years he has stayed above a 5.00 ERA. At 36 years old, this move is to see if Hammel has anything left in the tank. With the idea of openers, Texas could see him helping in that capacity.
Davidson is the intriguing player signed today. A third baseman by trade, Davidson also came out of the bullpen last year for 3 scoreless innings. He worked on pitching in the offseason to add to his arsenal. He is obviously seen as more depth at 3rd base with the departure of Beltre. But also adds an extra element to a utility role. Being a right handed bat he could be a DH along with playing the hot corner. But in a mop up role, maybe he is that arm that saves a bullpen from more abuse on a bad night.
The one thing we are seeing is that JD is planning on having a lot of choices in surprise. He added more depth today. Plus a two way player in Matt Davidson.
FYI, with Davidson’s offensive numbers. he better be able to pitch.
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