Alexi Ogando was non-tendered by the Texas Rangers early in December as he was entering his second year of arbitration eligibility and has since been a free agent. The New York Mets are looking to move one of their starters before spring training.
The 31-year-old Ogando was with the Rangers for five seasons and compiled a 28-16 record with 3.35 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 183 games (48 starts). Texas has moved Ogando from the bullpen to the starting rotation and vice versa a number of times, which has been questioned over the years. The right-hander was an All-Star in 2011 during which he went 13-8 with a 3.51 ERA and 1.14 ERA in 31 games (29 starts).
Unfortunately for Ogando, the veteran suffered a sprained UCL in his right elbow last June and was shut down for the season. The injury perhaps was affecting him up until that point in the season because he had an uncharacteristic campaign as a reliever: he appeared in 27 games (25 innings) and had a 6.84 ERA and 1.92 WHIP. Despite all that, Ogando is attracting suitors this offseason after conducting workouts for a number of teams.
Peter Gammons of MLB Network writes, "Scouts I know liked Ogando's workout. Red Sox, Dodgers aggressive." Boston and Los Angeles have been looking to upgrade their bullpens with cost-effective arms and Ogando is the prime candidate for such a signing because he's coming off a serious injury after a poor season. His agent appears confident the right-hander will land a deal before the 2015 season.
"Alexi [Ogando] was 92 to 93 and touched 94 at a bullpen session for numerous teams last week," his agent, Larry Reynolds, told MLBTradeRumors.com. "After an earlier examination by Dr. [James] Andrews, coupled with his promising progression, we believe Alexi should have no problem securing a job and will be pitching on Day 1 of 2015 Spring Training."
As for other pitchers, Dillon Gee of the New York Mets looks like he could be traded before spring training. The Mets have been shopping Gee, Jon Niese and Bartolo Colon in order to make room for the return of Matt Harvey, but the market has been fairly quiet for these three. However, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal writes the Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres are looking at a trade for Gee, according to sources.
The Rangers were in discussion with New York about Gee, but talks stalled during the MLB Winter Meetings. It's possible the Rockies could be serious suitors since they have expressed interest in free-agent Ryan Vogelsong and Miami Marlins starter Dan Haren as of late. The Giants are likely also seeking to add depth to their rotation because of the many question marks surrounding their starters. San Diego seems the least likely after adding a number of pitchers this offseason.
Gee, 28, owns a 40-34 record with a 3.91 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 106 games (103) starts in five MLB seasons.
