Hunter Strickland DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Texas Rangers right-handed reliever Hunter Strickland, who had been pitching at Triple-A Round Rock on a minor-league deal, was granted his release on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Rangers signed left-hander Ty Blach and right-hander Robert Dugger to minor-league deals, and they will both report to Round Rock. Strickland appeared in 12 games out of the bullpen for Round Rock and was just not good, allowing 20 hits (three homers) and 14 earned runs while walking nine and striking out 15 in 15 1/3 innings pitched. The 36-year-old veteran has 29 career saves in 10 big-league seasons and was decent last year with the Los Angeles Angels with a 3.31 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and one save, though, so he could get another chance to prove himself on a minor-league contract now that he's on the open market.

The Texas Rangers announced on Wednesday that they agreed to terms with free-agent right-hander Hunter Strickland on a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. The 36-year-old veteran reliever went 3-2 with a 3.31 ERA, one save and 12 holds in 73 1/3 innings with the Los Angeles Angels last year in a team-leading 72 appearances, which ranked tied for seventh in the American League. He's a 10-year MLB veteran with a career 25-23 record, 29 saves, a 3.40 ERA and 408 strikeouts in 448 innings pitched with eight different teams. Strickland spent the first five seasons of his career with manager Bruce Bochy on the San Francisco Giants, so he has some history with the Rangers' skipper. Because of how late he's signing this spring, Strickland probably won't be in the Opening Day bullpen, but it doesn't mean he won't play a key setup role in Texas' bullpen eventually.

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Hunter Strickland blew his second save of the season of Thursday versus the Colorado Rockies. With Luis Garcia and Carlos Estevez being dealt earlier in the week, manager Ron Washington turned to Strickland in the ninth inning of Thursday's contest. The veteran struggled by opening the inning with a walk to Ryan McMahon, before recording two outs and allowing a two-run homer to Jake Cave to tie the game. Strickland on the season has a 3.35 ERA, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Ben Joyce and his 103+ MPH heater get an opportunity the next time there is a save situation. Joyce is intriguing, but the Angels victories are few and far between, making the closer situation messy. Unless managers are desperate, this is a situation to avoid for now.