In an ongoing series, we'll take a look at possible free-agent and trade targets for the Texas Rangers this winter.
Target: Edinson Volquez, RHP
2014 stats: 13-7, 3.04 ERA, 140 strikeouts, 71 walks, 192 2/3 innings
Remember this guy? If you remember the good ol' days of hearing all about "DVD" in the Rangers' farm system, then you do. Volquez, of course, was the "V" of that equation — the next great trio of Rangers starting pitchers who were ascending through the Rangers' farm system back in the early-2000s. One of them, Thomas Diamond, never saw the bigs. The other was John Danks, who's had a solid career with the Chicago White Sox, and then there's Volquez, who was traded from Texas to Cincinnati for Josh Hamilton prior to the 2008 season.
Volquez enjoyed a bounce-back season after signing a one-year deal with Pittsburgh in 2014. It was nice to see for the 31-year-old, who was great for the Reds in 2008 before having a really rough five years that included a PED suspension.
He'd be a risk, but could be had at a low price and possibly even another one-year deal.
