Texas Rangers Re-Sign Colby Lewis: Fantasy Fallout

The Texas Rangers bring back veteran starting pitcher Colby Lewis on a one-year deal. He had a decent 2015 season, but can the 36-year-old improve in 2016?

The Texas Rangers are adding pieces to the rotation in preparation for the 2016 season. Texas’ rotation will likely be missing some key pitchers from previous seasons, the Rangers needed to add some depth. As a result, the team sent an offer to Colby Lewis for the 2016 season. He was good this season, but they need more than that next year. What are the realistic expectations for Lewis in 2016?

Lewis started his career with the Rangers and then spent a season with each the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Raiders. He rejoined Texas after spending two years in the Japan Central League. His 2012 season was cut short with a torn flexor tendon and missed all of the 2013 while recovering from that surgery and dealing with bone spurs in his right hip.

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In his last two major-league seasons with the Rangers, Colby Lewis went 27-23 with a 4.90 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9.  His 2015 season was nothing to scoff at. Despite having a 4.66 ERA, he recorded 17 wins and over 200 innings, the first time since 2010.

Lewis had a good second half, finishing 9-5 with a 4.53 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 93.1 innings. He had one complete game shutout against the Oakland Athletics.

The Rangers are going to need a great 2016 campaign out of Lewis. With the team losing Yovani Gallardo to free agency and Yu Darvish recovering from Tommy John surgery, the Rangers pitching staff took a bit of a hit (no pun intended). The rotation is anchored by Cole Hamels with the struggling Derek Holland and the young Nick Martinez and Chi Chi Gonzalez behind him.

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Colby Lewis is likely to be slated as the No. 3 pitcher, possibly the No. 2 option. Even if he can reach 30 starts and avoid injury, I would not draft Lewis. The high ERA, WHIP and age are cause for concern. While some of the other numbers may look good, the ones most fantasy leagues go by are not promising. He is more usable as a streaming option on a per-matchup basis.

Projections: 14-10, 4.33 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 140 strikeouts

Draft: N/A