Frasor offers Rangers an experienced middle reliever
The Texas Rangers continued reinforcing their bullpen by signing veteran right-hander Jason Frasor, 35, to a one-year deal on Jan. 3.
Frasor will receive a base salary of $1.5 million and will pitch ahead of new setup man Josh Lindblom, a right-hander who was acquired when Michael Young was traded to Toronto in December. The Rangers are in the process of replacing setup man Mike Adams (who signed with Philadelphia) and middle relievers Koji Uehara (signed with Boston) and Alexi Ogando (who is moving to the rotation).
Frasor had spent all but half of one season of his career with Toronto and wanted to return, but the Blue Jays had no room for him. That made his decision pretty easy.
"You take away the left-handers and the closers and you've got to think there were 40 guys like me (on the relief free agent market)," Frasor said. "When it appeared the door to Toronto was closed, I just wanted to go to a winner. I was in Toronto for nine years and didn't even smell a playoff race. I'm 35 years old, I feel great, but my window is closing a little bit. I just wanted the chance to be on a great team. I'm thrilled with this opportunity."
From 2009 to 2011, Frasor was among baseball's best middle relievers (guys who had fewer than 50 save chances and more than 150 relief innings), compiling a 3.28 ERA that ranked 17th of 47 in the majors.
In 2012, Frasor missed nearly six weeks with forearm tightness and finished the season 1-1 with a 4.12 ERA in 43 2/3 innings. It was the first time in his career he had spent time on the disabled list.
"I locate my fastball," Frasor said. "My second-best pitch is my changeup. I'm not a big breaking-ball guy. I can go weeks at a time without throwing my breaking ball. I'm pretty aggressive in the zone and like to go after guys. If you can locate your fastball, things should be fine."
