Colby Lewis has earned the trust of the Texas Rangers over the years while serving as a rock of the team's rotation for the past five years and earning the title of the greatest postseason pitcher in club history. He's also earned the respect of the organization after fighting his way back to effectiveness after missing 18 months thanks to an elbow surgery and an unprecedented hip resurfacing procedure for a starting pitcher.
During that time, he also earned the right to see what is available to him on the open market in his first offseason as a true, healthy free agent, which he opted to do instead of signing a deal with the Rangers in the team's exclusive negotiating window following the World Series.
With all of that said, it still seems likely he'll return to the organization that has stuck with him through good times and bad. The Dallas Morning News cited sources saying Lewis is still likely to return to the Rangers after testing the open market.
General manager Jon Daniels, who said if he had to guess, he'd say Lewis will be back, said he is fine with and understands Lewis' desire to see what's out there.
“He’s never been healthy and a true free agent before,” Daniels said. “This is the first real chance he’s had to find out his true value. I think both sides want [a deal] to work out. We’re both respectful and mindful of each other’s position and the calendar in regards to putting together deals and rosters.”
Lewis' return would be huge for the Rangers, who are currently trying to figure out their 2015 rotation beyond Yu Darvish and Derek Holland. Lewis could be a good No. 4 starter and a great No. 5 while adding a valuable veteran presence to a young staff.
