MLB Free Agency Tracker: Starting Pitchers
Keep up with the latest news, rumors and signings of this winter's class of free agent starting pitchers.
The lockout is over and the hot stove is re-lit in Major League Baseball.
Even after dropping $561.2 million on free agents prior to the lockout, the Texas Rangers are still surveying the starting pitching market to add another arm to a very young rotation that needs veteran leadership and innings. Therefore, fans should keep an eye or two on who will be searching for jobs.
You can track the latest news, rumors and signings of the free agent outfielders right here on InsideTheRangers.com. These players are grouped by their most-played position, and are listed in order by their respective bWAR (Baseball Reference's Wins Above Replacement). Each player's seasonal age for the 2022 season will also be in parentheses.
- Robbie Ray (30, 6.6 bWAR) -- signed 5-year, $115 million contract with Mariners
- Kevin Gausman (31, 5.3) -- signed 5-year, $110 million contract with Blue Jays
- Max Scherzer (37, 5.3) -- signed 3-year, $130 million contract with Mets
- Carlos Rodón (29, 5.0) -- signed 2-year, $44 million contract with Giants
- Anthony DeSclafani (32, 3.9) -- signed 3-year, $36 million contract with Giants
- Marcus Stroman (30, 3.7) -- signed 3-year, $71 million contract with Cubs
- Clayton Kershaw (34, 2.3) -- signed 1-year, $17 million contract with Dodgers
- Danny Duffy (33, 2.1) -- signed 1-year contract with Dodgers
- Steven Matz (31, 2.0) -- signed 4-year, $44 million contract with Cardinals
- Wily Peralta (33, 2.0) -- signed minor league contract with Tigers
- Eduardo Rodriguez (29, 1.8) -- signed 5-year, $77 million contract with Tigers
- Yusei Kikuchi (31, 1.7) -- signed 3-year, $36 million contract with Blue Jays
- Tyler Anderson (32, 1.7) -- signed 1-year, $8 million contract with Dodgers
- Alex Cobb (34, 1.7) -- signed 2-year, $20 million contract with Giants
- Michael Pineda (33, 1.4) -- signed 1-year, $5.5 million contract with Tigers
- Corey Kluber (36, 1.4) -- signed 1-year, $8 million contract with Rays
- Jon Gray (30, 1.3) -- signed 4-year, $56 million contract with Rangers
- Alex Wood (31, 1.3) -- signed 2-year, >$20 million contract with Giants
- Rich Hill (42, 1.3) -- signed 1-year, $5 million contract with Red Sox
- Chris Ellis (29, 1.2) -- signed minor league contract with Orioles
- Zack Greinke (38, 1.2) -- signed 1-year, $13 million contract with Royals
- Kwang Hyun Kim (33, 1.1) -- signed contract with SSG Landers of the Korean Baseball Organization
- Johnny Cueto (36, 0.8)
- Aaron Sanchez (29, 0.6) -- signed minor league contract with Nationals
- Jhoulys Chacín (34, 0.6) -- signed 1-year, $1.25 million contract with Rockies
- Martín Pérez (31, 0.5) -- agreed to 1-year, $4 million contract with Rangers
- Ervin Santana (39, 0.5)
- Drew Smyly (33, 0.4) -- signed 1-year, $5.25 million contract with Cubs
- Andrew Heaney (31, 0.3) -- signed 1-year, $8.5 million contract with Dodgers
- Garrett Richards (34, 0.3) -- signed 1-year, $4.5 million contract with Rangers
- Sean Nolin (32, 0.1) -- signed 1-year contract with Kia Tigers of the KBO
- Wade LeBlanc (37, 0.1)
- James Paxton (33, 0.0) -- signed 1-year, $10 million contract with Red Sox
- Ivan Nova (35, 0.0) -- signed 1-year contract with SSG Landers of the KBO
- Félix Hernández (36, 0.0)
- Cole Hamels (38, 0.0)
- Justin Verlander (39, 0.0) -- signed 1-year, $25 million contract with Astros
- Noah Syndergaard (29, -0.1) -- signed 1-year, $21 million contract with Angels
- Chris Archer (33, -0.1)
- Brett Anderson (34, -0.1)
- Jordan Lyles (31, -0.2) -- signed 1-year, $7 million contract with Orioles
- Julio Teheran (31, -0.2)
- Tommy Milone (35, -0.2)
- Thomas Eshelman (28, -0.3) -- signed minor league contract with Padres
- Dylan Bundy (29, -0.3) -- signed 1-year, $5 million contract with Twins
- Tanner Roark (35, -0.3)
- Mike Fiers (37, -0.3)
- Scott Kazmir (38, -0.3)
- Vince Velasquez (30, -0.4) -- signed 1-year, $3 million contract with White Sox
- José Ureña (30, -0.5)
- Trevor Cahill (33, -0.5)
- Chase Anderson (34, -0.5) -- signed minor league contract with Tigers
- Mike Foltynewicz (30, -0.6)
- Chi Chi González (30, -0.7) -- signed minor league contract with Twins
- Michael Wacha (30, -0.7) -- signed 1-year contract with Red Sox
- Matt Harvey (33, -0.7)
- José Quintana (33, -0.7) -- signed 1-year, $2 million contract with Pirates
- Matt Moore (33, -0.8) -- signed minor league contract with Rangers
- Zach Davies (29, -0.9)
- Carlos Martínez (30, -1.4) -- signed minor league contract with Giants
- J.A. Happ (39, -1.5)
- Matt Shoemaker (35, -1.8) -- signed contract with Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan)
- Jake Arrieta (36, -2.6)
News and Rumors
- March 14: The Rangers officially signed LHP Matt Moore to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. If Moore makes the major league club, he'll earn a base salary of $2.5 million.
- March 11: The Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw are in agreement on a one-year contract, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Deal is pending a physical. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports Kershaw will earn $17 million with incentives.
- March 11: The Giants and Carlos Rodón are in agreement on a two-year, $44 million contract, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
- March 11: ESPN's Buster Olney: "There is heavy industry expectation that Clayton Kershaw will return to the Dodgers for the 2022 season."
- March 11: The Rangers and Martín Pérez are in agreement on a one-year, $4 million contract, per FanSided's Robert Murray (pending physical).
- Feb. 9: Matt Harvey was named as a possible drug source for former Angels teammate Tyler Skaggs during the trial of Eric Kay, who was indicted on two counts in the overdose death of Skaggs.
- Jan. 12: Three-time World Series champion Jon Lester announced his retirement.
- Dec. 2: Former Rangers pitcher Jordan Lyles agreed to a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles. However, the contract is not yet official since it was not finalized prior to the start of the lockout.
- Nov. 28: Max Scherzer is expected to make his decision prior to the impending lockout on Dec. 2, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. The Dodgers, Giants, Angels and Mets are among the reported teams interested.
- Nov. 27: Kevin Gausman is expected to make his decision in the next two or three days, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.
- Nov. 26: Marcus Stroman tweeted that the Mets front office prefers other pitchers on the market over him.
- Nov. 25: The Rangers reportedly have "legitimate interest" in Jon Gray.
- Nov. 22: The Giants brought back two of their free agent starting pitchers, agreeing to terms with Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Wood on the same day.
- Nov. 22: In an interview with MLB Network, Rangers manager Chris Woodward said the club has been in contact with Clayton Kershaw. Texas and the Dodgers are thought to be the two likely destinations for the future Hall of Famer.
- Nov. 17: Justin Verlander rejected the qualifying offer from the Astros, then turned around a signed a one-year, $25 million contract to return to Houston. The deal also includes a $25-million player option for 2023.
- Nov. 16: RHP Noah Syndergaard opted to decline the one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer from the New York Mets and sign with the Angels on a one-year, $21 million contract. This gives him the opportunity to prove himself for a season coming off Tommy John surgery, then enter free agency again next winter.
- Nov. 16: The Blue Jays signed RHP Jose Berrios to a seven-year, $131 million contract extension, securing their rotation beyond 2022. Berrios was set to become a free agent after next season.
- Nov. 15: The Tigers made the first big move of the offseason, signing LHP Eduardo Rodriguez to a five-year, $77 million contract. Per multiple reports, Rodriguez can earn another $3 million in incentives and can opt out after year two of the contract. According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Angels were all involved in the market for Rodriguez.
- Nov. 7: The Dodgers did not extend a qualifying offer to LHP Clayton Kershaw. While this could make him more attractive in free agency, it could also mean his health is a legitimate concern. Kershaw missed significant time in 2021 with multiple forearm injuries.
Bookmark this and our outfield free agency tracker to keep up with everything once the lockout is over!
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