Rangers reach deal with Goody, non-tender 2

ARLINGTON – The Rangers used Monday’s deadline to tender contracts to players by resolving right-handed reliever Nick Goody’s uncertain situation.

Goody has accepted his assignment to the Rangers and agreed to a one-year, $915,000 contract for 2020 after being added to the 40-man roster. Goody was claimed off unconditional release waivers from the Indians last week and had the right to reject the assignment.

I hear everything is bigger in Texas.. does that include the 2020 WS ring? @Rangers ....asking for a friend #ringchasin

— Nick Goody (@Its_all_Goody41) December 2, 2019

The acquisition of Goody left the Rangers with a full 40-man roster and they opened up two spots by non-tendering pitchers Wei-Chieh Huang and Ian Gibaut. That allows room for free-agent pitcher Kyle Gibson. The veteran right-handed starter has reached a three-year deal with the Rangers pending the outcome of a physical.

Gibaut and Huang now become free agents, but the Rangers are planning to try to re-sign both to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

The Rangers did tender contracts to their other arbitration-eligible players on Monday: Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara, Danny Santana, Rafael Montero and Delino DeShields. There might have been some uncertainty about DeShields, but the Rangers still view him as a viable candidate to be their starting center fielder next season.

• Rangers add Herget to 40-man, DFA Springs

If they don't reach deals before Jan. 10, the Rangers will exchange salary figures on that date with their five arbitration-eligible players. If an agreement is not reached with any player, a hearing at a date to be announced later will be held and an arbitration panel will choose between the two figures. The Rangers have not had an arbitration hearing with a player since Lee Stevens in 2000.

Goody, 28, began last season at Triple-A Columbus and was called up on June 5 after posting a 1.69 ERA in his final eight appearances for the Clippers. He pitched in 39 games for the Indians and was 3-2 with a 3.54 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.

Goody struck out 11.1 batters and allowed just 6.6 hits per nine innings. He also walked 4.87 batters per nine innings. He relies on a 92.7 mph fastball and a swing-and-miss slider, and could be a solid candidate to make the Rangers bullpen in Spring Training.

Goody was a sixth-round pick by the Yankees in the 2012 MLB Draft out of LSU and pitched in parts of the 2015-16 seasons for them before being traded to the Indians. He was 1-2 with a 2.80 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 56 games for the Indians in '17, striking out 11.9 batters per nine innings.

He was limited to 12 games for the Indians in 2018 before undergoing debridement surgery on his right elbow.