Breaking News: Rangers Has Officially Announced the Signing of a Pitcher to a One Year Deal of….see more 

Breaking News: Rangers Has Officially Announced the Signing of a Pitcher to a One Year Deal of….see more

The Texas Rangers have finalized a one-year, $2.66 million contract with pitcher Dane Dunning, avoiding arbitration for the upcoming 2025 season. This deal reflects the team’s commitment to securing depth in their pitching staff as they continue to build a competitive roster for the new year. Dunning has been with the Rangers since 2021, offering versatility as both a starter and a reliever. With this new contract, he will aim to provide further support in a pitching rotation that is still shaping up for the 2025 campaign.

This agreement marks a $670,000 reduction in Dunning’s salary from 2024, a reflection of his somewhat disappointing performance last season. Although he has the potential to earn more through performance-based incentives, Dunning’s 2024 campaign was marked by a 5.31 ERA over 95 innings pitched across 26 games, including 15 starts. His advanced metrics weren’t much better, ranking in the 5th percentile in Hard Hit%, the 11th percentile in Average Exit Velocity, and the 27th percentile in Walk Rate (BB%). These numbers contrasted sharply with his strong 2023 performance, where he posted a solid 3.70 ERA over 26 starts and helped the Rangers secure their World Series victory. In 2023, Dunning also ranked in the 74th percentile in Ground Ball Rate, showcasing a more favorable performance.

Despite the decline in 2024, Dunning’s return could be key for the Rangers as they work to stabilize their pitching staff. The 28-year-old right-hander is expected to serve as a “flex” option for the Rangers, meaning he could be used in various roles throughout the season. This may include slotting in as a back-end rotation piece or stepping in as a middle reliever capable of eating innings when needed. His experience and versatility will be valuable assets as the team plans for the 2025 season.

The Rangers have made it clear that they are committed to staying under the luxury tax threshold, which limits their ability to make major free-agent signings. However, this move allows them to retain Dunning, who could prove useful in providing depth to a pitching staff that is still evolving. With questions surrounding the potential contributions of young prospects like Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter, both of whom are expected to get opportunities to join the rotation, Dunning’s re-signing offers an important safety net. While Rocker and Leiter may be given chances to prove themselves, there’s no guarantee they will be able to stick in the major leagues for an extended period.

For Rangers fans, the return of Dane Dunning is a hopeful sign that the team will have enough reliable arms in their rotation, even if the pitching staff remains in flux. If Dunning can rediscover the form that made him an effective starter in 2023, the Rangers could have a valuable asset in the back of their rotation.