Rangers sign pitcher Glendon Rusch

[Drbio]

Per the Newberg Report.....


Texas signed 29-year-old lefthander Glendon Rusch to a minor league contract Tuesday and invited him to big league spring training. The Associated Press reports that Rusch gets a guaranteed $75,000 and will earn $750,000 if he makes the big club, plus performance bonuses that could amount to another $750,000 as well as $400,000 in available award bonuses.

Is Rusch "this year's Esteban Loaiza," the type of arm the Rangers and other clubs have made it a point to chase this winter? Probably not. But there are some interesting bullet points. An unimpressive 42-76, 5.11 pitcher in seven big league seasons and an awful 1-12, 6.42 last year with Milwaukee, he did average 10 wins with a 4.45 ERA in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Sent down to the minor leagues midway through last season for the first time since 1999, Rusch made four appearances for AAA Indianapolis and put up excellent walk-strikeout numbers. In 21 innings, he scattered 17 hits (four of which, granted, left the
park) and four walks while punching out 20. And his brief farm stint flipped some sort of switch. Owning a 1-11, 8.61 record at the time of his demotion, he proceeded to go 0-1, 2.87 for the Brewers upon his return from the International League, over 47 innings.

Rusch has always exhibited solid control, and he historically chews up innings. He's a good bet to win a job. A caveat: Rusch is the type of pitcher who needs a very good defensive outfield.

[jayC]

He sounds like the perfect guy to have around. Someone to eat up innings at the ball park. The Rangers have a solid bullpen. If they can just develop one or two arms they will be much improved.

Other postives the rangers have a great infield, and a good bench.