Colby Lewis a great fit

I think this is a good move for the Rangers, signing Lewis. At 30 years old, he is well traveled and has become a dominating pitcher in Japan. There will be no needing to work out the kinks or waiting for him to adapt. I expect him to have a good showing this spring and be a contributor to the club.

Weight 230 lbs.
Height 6-4
Bats Right
Throws Right

Mid 90s fastball

Colby Lewis is back after spending two years in Japan. And general manager Jon Daniels said Lewis is in the rotation, along with Feldman and Harden.

Tommy Hunter has the inside track to another spot, leaving Derek Holland, Brandon McCarthy, Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz and C.J. Wilson fighting for the No. 5 starting job. Daniels said he would prefer to have a lefty claim a position in the rotation, but the club will go with the five best no matter which arm they use.

But while he was overseas, Lewis discovered how to locate his pitches, showing signs of the stuff that made him the Rangers' first pick (38th overall) in the 1999 draft. Lewis added a cutter, a pitch that certainly has served Feldman and Hunter well, to his repertoire to go along with his curve, slider and changeup. His long delivery has given way to a more compact style. And he has learned how to outthink the hitter. That doesn't mean he can't still bring it. He said he hits 96 mph on the radar gun "when I feel good," but for the most part has dialed it back to make sure he hits his spots.

Lewis, 30, proved the past two seasons that he could stay healthy, eat innings and do it with an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio. He pitched 178 innings in 2008 for Hiroshima, striking out 183 and walking 27. He threw 176 innings in 2009 with 186 strikeouts and 19 walks.