As the offseason began, Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish resided as the top starting pitchers available on the free-agent market. Viewed as 1A and 1B, where they slotted changed some when Shohei Ohtani was officially posted by the Nippon-Ham Fighters.
But with Ohtani having decided to sign with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Arrieta and Darvish are again the unquestioned premier starting pitchers available as the Winter Meetings are underway.
Both pitchers have fielded interest from the same teams, including the Minnesota Twins, which was confirmed when general manager Thad Levine called Darvish one of the club’s top priorities.
According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Darvish re-signing with the Texas Rangers remains a possibility:
Whatever the construct, it’s also clear that a reunion with Yu Darvish is not off the table. Daniels won’t discuss free agents, but an industry source said the Rangers have maintained some contact with Darvish.
Additionally, the Houston Astros have interest in the 31-year-old, among others, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
The Astros have shown interest in free agent righties Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta, and also might explore the trade market if a pitcher such as Tampa Bay righty Chris Archer becomes available, according to major league sources.
The Astros’ reported interest in Darvish comes despite their knocking him around for a combined nine runs (eight earned) over his two World Series starts. Darvish managed to record just five outs in each of those outings, and there were reports he tipped pitches.
Joining the Astros might further prove somewhat troublesome given the racist gesture Yulieski Gurriel directed toward Darvish after hitting a home run. Though, the two appeared to quickly bury the hatchet.
Prior to imploding in the World Series, he’d allowed just two runs on eight hits and struck out 14 over 11.1 innings pitched, making one start each in the National League Division Series and Championship Series.
In his time with the Rangers and Dodgers, Darvish went 10-12 with a 3.86 ERA, 3.83 FIP and 1.16 WHIP in 31 starts. Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said the club has interest in re-signing the righty, but conceded it’s a difficult proposition considering the lucrative contract Darvish may receive.
