Former Braves and Angels starter Tommy Hanson has received multiple offers this offseason, including a strong look from the Texas Rangers, as Fox Sports' Jon Morosi reports. The right hander's agent, Greg Genske, says his client is in a "great place" after his recent struggle with injuries.
Tommy Hanson free agency: Rangers, multiple others in talks with SP
According to his agent, Hanson is in a “great place mentally and physically.”
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Hanson, now 27, started his career off impressively. In 2009, he finished third in the NL balloting for Rookie of the Year, putting up a 2.89 ERA over 21 starts for the Braves. He followed that up with a 3.33 ERA over 202⅔ innings in 2010, and appeared to be the team’s ace of the future.
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However, Hanson began to experience consistent issues with his pitching arm, resulting in decreased velocity and over effectiveness. His ERA ballooned up to 4.48 for the 2012 season, and the Braves subsequently traded him to the Angels for reliever Jordan Walden. The fact that the team was willing to move him for a reliever, no matter how good the reliever, was a sign that they had very serious concerns about Hanson’s ability to return to good health and the front of their rotation.
There were some optimistic things that came out of his first season in Anaheim, despite a career-worst 5.17 ERA. As Kyle Boddy of the Hardball Times noted last summer, Hanson’s velocity was trending upward as the season marched along, ultimately peaking at an average speed of 92 miles per hour -- a feat he hadn’t been able to repeat since 2010.
The Rangers could look to bring in Hanson as a potential fill-in for Derek Holland, who is expected to miss several months after his dog caused him to have knee surgery. If Hanson's velocity has returned, perhaps the Rangers' pitching coaches could help the former top prospect return to form.
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