Rangers' low-risk, high-reward signing may be more important than it seems

Veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin, who signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, has experienced immense highs and excruciating lows during his 12-year career in the majors. 

A two-time All-Star and a World Series champion, Corbin boasted one of the best curveballs in the majors during his peak. From 2013, his first All-Star season, to his World Series-winning 2019 campaign with the Nationals, Corbin fanned the ninth-most batters among all left-handed pitchers (minimum 150 starts). His 3.72 ERA over that span was the 10th-best among southpaw starters.

Since his age-30 season in 2020, however, the two-time All-Star pitcher has spiraled downward. After posting a 4.66 ERA in 2020, Corbin has failed to post a sub-5.00 ERA in the past four seasons. Plus, he has recorded double-digit losses in every season since 2021. 

Texas is betting on Corbin to closer resemble his pre-2020 form. Despite a rough showing the past few seasons, Corbin may have enough life in his arm to solidify the backend of the Rangers' rotation. 

Plus, with starters Jon Gray (wrist fracture) and Cody Bradford (elbow soreness) sidelined with injury, the Rangers are hoping Corbin can fill the void and provide quality innings. 

“Obviously, in the last week, circumstances have changed internally with our starting pitching and the depth,” said president of baseball operations Chris Young (h/t Rangers broadcast Jared Sander). “We felt like signing Patrick Corbin was an opportunity to bring in somebody who has really been an inning stabilizer over the past 10-plus years. He’s a veteran player, a competitor, by all accounts and just a winning personality. He’s somebody who's going to fit in our clubhouse well and gives us added protection.” 

Though efficiency has eluded him the past few seasons, Corbin has still proved to be an innings eater. He has made 30 or more starts in every full MLB season since 2017 and tossed 174 2/3 innings for the Nationals last season. 

“There's no doubt this is a player who has a tremendous track record of health, taking the ball and posting,” Young said (h/t MLB.com). “The innings matter to us. I think our team's built in a way to protect our starting pitching with an offense that's going to score some runs. We played very good defense. I think Patrick will benefit from that as well. He certainly fits a need that we have at this moment. I don't see any reason why he can't contribute all season long, if he pitches like he did, really the second half of last year.” 

While signings this late into spring training don't typically amount to much, Corbin could pan out as a low-risk, high-reward signing for Texas. He's not likely to regain his All-Star form, but it would be a huge boost for the team if he can at least be serviceable in the backend of the rotation.