2015 MLB Free Agency: Yovani Gallardo Is an Underrated Starting Pitching Option

Yovani Gallardo is set to hit the 2015 MLB Free Agency market and there are quite a few teams that are looking to add starting pitching. He may not be the top option on the market this offseason, but he is a very underrated starting pitching option.

Following David Price, Zack Greinke and Johnny Cueto, there aren't a ton of top of the rotation guys on the market. There are, however, a good amount of middle of the rotation pitchers that can make a major difference for the team that signs them. Plenty of teams were in need of middle of the rotation guys this past season, especially in the postseason.

Throughout the 2015 MLB season with the Texas Rangers, Gallardo put together a decent season. He compiled a 13-11 record to go along with a 3.42 ERA. Gallardo isn't going to be the type of guy that can start Game 1 of a postseason series, but is more than capable of starting a Game 3 or 4.

Texas is interested in bringing him back, but there are going to be plenty of other teams interested in signing him.

One team that is looking for some starting pitching this offseason is the Chicago Cubs, who also were interested in acquiring him from the Rangers at the trade deadline last year. They have their sights set on David Price at this point in time, but could be looking for two new arms. Gallardo would fit nicely with them, but isn't going to come too terribly cheap.

Plenty of other teams could use a pitcher like Gallardo, who at one point in his career was considered to be a budding ace starter. Back during his days with the Milwaukee Brewers, there weren't many pitchers in the National League that were considered better than him.

Looking ahead at the opening of free agency, Gallardo is a very intriguing player to keep an eye on. His name will come up early and often in rumors and whoever signs him will be very happy that they did. Gallardo isn't going to be a franchise changer, but he is the type of pitcher that can make things much easier on the top of the rotation.

Don't be surprised if he ends up back with the Rangers, but he will listen to other offers from teams around the league.