Nothing has been finalized, but the Texas Rangers are working on a new contract for right-handed starter Colby Lewis.
Team officials are hopeful they will know something soon regarding Lewis, who tied for the team lead in victories with 10 after returning from hip and elbow surgeries.
The Rangers have three free agents to deal with, and Lewis is at the top of the list. Lewis signed a one-year, $2 million minor-league deal last season. But after his successful 2014, considering what he came back from physically, a two- or three-year deal is a possibility.
Left-handed reliever Neal Cotts is also on the Rangers' radar, but the club wants to take care of Lewis and finalize their coaching staff before looking at him. Cotts pitched in a team-high 73 games last season.
Scott Baker, another free-agent pitcher, will also have to wait for the Rangers' offer. He pitched out of the bullpen as a long reliever and he became a spot starter toward the end of the season.
As expected, the Rangers will buy out the contract of right fielder Alex Rios at $1 million, making him a free agent. Rios had to remain on the roster until after the World Series.
