The Rangers have officially announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Adrian Sampson to a minor league contract with an invitation to join the major league Spring Training camp. This marks a return to familiar territory for Sampson, who previously spent three years with the Rangers. After being claimed off waivers from the Mariners in 2016, he remained with the organization until the end of the 2019 season. During his time in the majors, Sampson accumulated 153 innings pitched, resulting in an earned run average (ERA) of 5.71 per nine innings. While his strikeout rate was relatively low at 17.3%, he managed to keep his walk rate at a modest 6%.
In 2020, Sampson ventured overseas and signed with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization. He spent one season with the Giants, posting a 5.40 ERA. Following his stint in Korea, Sampson returned to the United States and signed a minor league contract with the Cubs. Over the course of the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he moved back and forth between the Cubs’ roster, delivering solid performances. However, a closer look at the underlying statistics revealed less impressive numbers. In a total of 139 2/3 innings pitched, Sampson recorded a 3.03 ERA, a strikeout rate of 17.6%, and a walk rate of 6.1%. His success was somewhat aided by a high batting average on balls in play (.275) and a high strand rate (80%), resulting in a FIP of 4.28 and a SIERA of 4.44, both higher than his ERA.
The Cubs retained Sampson through arbitration for the 2023 season, agreeing to a salary of $1.9MM. However, he was ultimately optioned to the minors after competing for a spot in the starting rotation during Spring Training. While on assignment in the minors, Sampson underwent debridement surgery on his right knee, limiting his pitching opportunities. In late July, he was removed from the roster and subsequently traded to the Rays. However, the Rays released him shortly thereafter, indicating that his inclusion in the trade was primarily for financial reasons. Despite his limited playing time, Sampson managed to pitch 28 innings in the minors in 2023, but struggled with an ERA of 9.07.
Now with the Rangers, Sampson will aim to make a comeback for a team that has concerns about its pitching depth, especially in the early part of the season. Due to injuries, Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tyler Mahle will all start the season on the injured list after undergoing surgeries. The starting rotation will consist of Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning, and Cody Bradford, some of whom have their own injury histories. Additionally, the bullpen, which was already considered the weakest part of the roster, lost key players such as Aroldis Chapman, Will Smith, and Chris Stratton to free agency. Although the team signed David Robertson and Kirby Yates as replacements, Yates, who will turn 37 next month, is the younger of the two.
Considering these factors, the defending champions may need to rely on their non-roster players more heavily this year. Sampson, who has experience as both a starter and a reliever, will provide valuable depth in both areas. He joins a group of experienced players on minor league contracts, including José Ureña, Shane Greene, Diego Castillo, Austin Pruitt, Chasen Shreve, Danny Duffy, and others. If Sampson is eventually added to the roster, he still has a couple of options remaining.
According to the Source mlbtraderumors.com