The Texas Rangers extended a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer to right-handed pitcher Yovani Gallardo, as the team reported.
Jon Daniels, the general manager and president of baseball operations of the Rangers, said, "As far as offseason calls go, this was a fairly easy one."
TR Sullivan of MLB.com reported that Bobby Witt, the agent for Gallardo, will take a week with his client to decide if they will accept or decline the offer.
Gallardo will probably reject it, but there is mutual interest in a multi-year extension. The right-handed native of Mexico could solidify himself as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter in just about any Major League rotation.
The second round pick in the 2004 MLB Draft played for the Milwaukee Brewers for the first eight years of his career. Last winter, the Rangers acquired Gallardo in exchange for Luis Sardinas, Corey Knebel and Marcos Diplan.
In his one season with Texas, the 29-year-old posed a 13-11 record with a 3.42 ERA over 184.1 innings. While he gave up a career-high 1.416 WHIP, the other numbers stayed solid as Gallardo worked out of multiple jams throughout 2015.
Over nine years in the Big Leagues, Gallardo has tossed 1,473.2 innings over 247 games pitched. He has logged a career 102-75 record with a 3.66 ERA. The pitcher started in the MLB when he was very young, so he has a ton of experience, more than many would expect.
Gallardo is not a super pitcher, he is just consistent. His fastball has a below-average velocity and he generated less than six strikeouts per nine innings. Because of his ability to keep a positive mind and a low walk rate, Gallardo should latch on for a hefty multi-year deal.
If Gallardo accepts the qualifying offer, he will be under contract for $15.8 million next season. If he declines and signs somewhere else, the Rangers will receive a compensation draft pick for the loss of their pitcher.