The Texas Rangers have retained starting pitcher Colby Lewis on a one-year contract and the Toronto Blue Jays did the same with first baseman Justin Smoak just a day after he was non-tendered by the club.
When the Rangers finished 2014 with one of their worst seasons in years, it was unknown what the team's plans were. As they continue to look for answers, general manager Jon Daniels re-signed Lewis to a one-year, $4 million deal, according to MLB.com. The right-hander began his career with the Rangers back in 2002 and returned in 2010 after five years away from the team. Texas mentioned they were interested in bringing him back after the season ended.
Lewis missed all of 2013 after undergoing surgery to repair a flexor tendon in his throwing arm and Texas signed him to a minor league contract in 2014. After making the roster, Lewis posted a 10-14 record with a 5.18 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 29 starts. The Rangers were one of the worst teams in baseball this past season due to countless injuries as well as continuity issues with the resignation of manager Ron Washington. The right-hander owns a career 54-56 record with a 4.78 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in seven seasons with the Rangers.
The Toronto Blue Jays retained a free agent of their own as well on late Wednesday night. First baseman Justin Smoak agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract within 24 hours of the team non-tendering him before the midnight deadline on Tuesday. Smoak had a 2015 team option for $3.65 million, but the Blue Jays declined it on November 1 after claiming him on waivers a few days prior.
The 27-year-old Smoak has spent five years in the MLB, starting off with the Texas Rangers in 2010 before he was traded that season to the Seattle Mariners in a package deal for starting pitcher Cliff Lee. Smoak owns a .224/.309/.380 stat line with 74 home runs and 234 RBIs in 566 career games. The signing, which gives Toronto depth at first base as well as the designated hitter position, essentially rounds off their roster heading into 2015.
