Another Small Move I Like

Darren Oliver just signed with the Rangers for a guaranteed one-year at $3.5 million with a vesting option that would make it a two-year $6.25 million contract.  If the option vests at 60 games or 70 innings pitched in 2010, it’s a good move for the Rangers.

The Rangers are having serious money issues right now as the team tries to find a new owner.  Even though Oliver will be 39 in 2010, he’s a good risk given the way he’s pitched since returning to the majors as a relief pitcher in 2006.  His ERA over the last four seasons has been 3.19, and it’s gotten better, improving to 2.88 in 2008 and 2.71 last season.  His ratios are still excellent also.

It’s a low-cost deal that gives the Rangers an excellent left-handed set-up man for only one year guaranteed, but with a second season at a reasonable price if Oliver still has it in 2010.

For the Rangers, who can’t make any big moves without the Commissioner’s office’s approval, spending to get a quality set-up man is about as much as they can do, now that the Mike Lowell deal has fallen through.  Still, there will be plenty of deals after Christmas for the teams willing to wait to sort through what’s left after the major sales.