The New York Yankees and Texas Rangers have been relatively quiet in MLB free agency, with both clubs missing out on Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. However, with plenty of impact talent still available, the American League Powers seem to be in competition for the same player.
New York did strengthen its rotation with Marcus Stroman, who can fill one of the spots left in the rotation by the departures of Frankie Montas and Luis Severino. However, pitching depth remains a need for the Yankees and it has driven them to one of the top relievers on the market.
- New York Yankees bullpen 2023: 3.34 ERA, 9.09 K/9, 0.86 HR/9
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As for Texas, the reigning World Series champions lost catcher Mitch Sarver to the Seattle Mariners and have been depleted of some of their bullpen depth with Chris Stratton and Will Smith both departing in free agency. While still focused on solidifying their rotation with an arm ready for Opening Day, Texas seems to be emerging in a neck-and-neck race with the Yankees.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Rangers and Yankees have emerged as potential frontrunners for Hector Neris, with the reliever’s market heating up in recent days.
- Hector Neris stats: 1.71 ERA, 10.14 K/9, .172 BAA, 1.05 WHIP in 68.1 innings pitched
Neris, who turns 35 in June, was one of the Houston Astros best pitchers last season. The veteran righty set career lows in ERA (1.71), batting average allowed (.172) and he struck out 28.2 percent of batters faced.
The 2022 World Series champion has pitched at least 65-plus innings in each of the last three seasons, frequently serving as a set-up man for the Philadelphia Phillies. With either New York or Texas, Naris would certainly plugin as a late-inning option who could be trusted with a lead in October.
