In an ongoing series, we'll take a look at possible free-agent and trade targets for the Texas Rangers this summer.
Target: Jason Frasor, RHP
2015 stats: 1-0, 1.54 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 23 1/3 innings, 18 strikeouts, 15 walks, 6.9 K/9 innings
We talked last week about the possibility of the Rangers looking at former reliever Neal Cotts to help stabilize their bullpen with a familiar face. Here's another former Rangers reliever they could target. Frasor was surprisingly designated for assignment by the bullpen-rich Royals earlier this week and could be had for cheap, especially if he hits waivers without being traded.
Frasor's stats look great on the surface, with his 1.54 ERA as part of a great Kansas City bullpen, but if you look at some advanced stats, you can see he's struggled. His FIP is 4.02, which is basically an ERA adjusted for several factors that attempts to give a more accurate reading of a pitcher's ERA. He's obviously suffered with his control this year, walking nearly as many batters as he's struck out.
But still, the way the Rangers' bullpen is going right now, he'd be a benefit and could be had for cheap as he's set to make just the remainder of his $1.25 million for this year with a mutual option for $2 million in 2016 that can be bought out for $550,000.
