Tyson Ross has been one of the more intriguing pitchers on the free agent market this offseason. While Ross is coming off an injury plagued season which saw him receieve surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, up to 20 teams have been interested in the former Padre.
Ross has been in the MLB for the past seven seasons playing for the Athletics before the Padres. He has appeared in 153 games and 670.2 innings. Ross holds a career 32-53 record with a 3.64 ERA and a 633/271 K/BB ratio.
Ross may be coming off injury, but he has proven he could be a front-line starter in past seasons. He was named to the All Star game in 2014 and held a 3.26 ERA with a ridiculous 212/84 K/BB ratio in 2015.
Teams have been willing to take a chance on Ross injury history, given his track record of past success. One of those teams have been the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs have been the team most connected to Ross. The team is in need of another starting pitcher, with Ross being at the top of their wish-list. He would likely be the team’s fifth starter moving Mike Montgomery back into a long-relief role.
However the Cubs aren’t the only team interested in Tyson Ross. According to multiple sources, including our own Sean Sears, the Texas Rangers have begun to show interest in Ross.
Source: Before visiting the Texas Rangers today, Tyson Ross met with the Chicago Cubs. They are the two favorites to sign the right-hander.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 5, 2017
Sounds like Ross is going to be Ranger or Cub in 2017 https://t.co/2lsF7k59nR
— Sean Sears (@sean_sears6) January 5, 2017
Ken Rosenthal reported that the Nationals were also interested, although not as much as the Cubs and Rangers.
Sources: #Nationals also want Tyson Ross (Joe’s older brother), but considered “longshot.” #Cubs, #Rangers favorites, as @jeffpassan said.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 5, 2017
The Rangers are an interesting fit for Ross. The team is losing out on Derek Holland and potentially Colby Lewis, meaning the back-end of their rotation is in need of talented pitching. Ross would certainly fit the bill as a guy who could start the season as a back-of-the-rotation starter but end as one of the team’s aces.
The Rangers also have a history of dealing with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, as their pitcher Matt Harrison dealt with it in 2009. That history with the injury could help the Rangers better deal with Ross.
Even better for the club is that, as Sears reported, the interested in mutual between Texas and Ross.
Hearing there's interest from both sides when it comes to FA Tyson Ross and the #Rangers Bad news for #Cubs fan
— Sean Sears (@sean_sears6) January 5, 2017
But while the Rangers have begun to show interest in Ross, it appears as if the Cubs are still the favorites to land the big right-hander. According to Sears, there is a 60% chance Ross signs with the Cubs.
A former scout still thinks it the #Cubs can land Tyson Ross, saying "60-40" between them and the #Rangers
— Sean Sears (@sean_sears6) January 5, 2017
The Cubs have been connected to Ross for most of the offseason. Some reports even had him visiting Wrigley Field. While Chicago is now facing pressure from the Rangers, the team still seems like the favorite to land the pitcher.
With the Rangers jumping in the mix and Ross market seemingly heating up, it seems likely that the pitcher will sign in short-order. It seems like that contract will be signed in Chicago.
The Cubs are coming off a World Series winning season, they have courted the pitcher multiple times, including in their home stadium. They have done everything in their power to make Ross come to Chicago.
With the Rangers now showing pressure in the Ross sweepstakes, the Cubs will likely have to up their offer to bring in Ross. But with the team showing serious interest, they will likely do everything in their power to bring the former All Star to the Windy City.
Ross’ scenario should play out over the next few days. But in the end, it seems as if Tyson Ross should be a Chicago Cub going into the 2017 season.
Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14
