According to the Associated Press, Corbin’s deal guarantees him $1.1 million, with additional incentives based on innings pitched and relief appearances. He will earn $100K for reaching 40 and 55 innings, $150K for 70 and 85, $200K for 100 and 115, $250K for 130, 145, and 160, and $350K for 170 innings, totaling up to $2 million. For relief appearances, he can earn $100K for 35, $150K for 40, $200K for 45, $250K for 50, and $300K for 55 appearances, bringing in another $1 million. If he’s traded, Corbin will receive a $250K assignment bonus.
In total, Corbin could earn up to $3 million in incentives if he pitches 170 innings and makes 55 relief appearances, though that’s nearly impossible in today’s game. The structure of these incentives offers Corbin additional earning potential, depending on whether he stays in the rotation or shifts to a bullpen role. For the Rangers, these incentives provide a flexible option as they aim to stay under the competitive balance tax (CBT) threshold.
On March 18, the Rangers announced they had signed left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin to a one-year major league deal. Although the full guarantee of the contract hasn’t been publicly disclosed, reports suggest it’s slightly over $1 million, with additional incentives valued at about $1 million. To make room for Corbin, the Rangers transferred right-hander Jon Gray to the 60-day injured list.
Corbin’s signing appears to be a depth move for the Rangers, focusing more on quantity than quality. While his recent performance hasn’t been stellar, Corbin has been a reliable innings eater for the Nationals. After signing a six-year, $140 million contract with Washington in 2019, Corbin showed promise in his first season, with a 3.25 ERA over 202 innings. However, his performance has declined since 2020, with his ERA rising to 4.66 that year and reaching a combined 5.71 ERA in the following four seasons. Despite these struggles, Corbin has maintained a consistent presence on the mound, logging over 170 innings in each full season since 2016.
For the Rangers, Corbin offers a dependable back-end starter, which is important given their current rotation situation. With Jon Gray expected to be out for an extended period due to a wrist injury and other pitchers like Cody Bradford and Tyler Mahle dealing with health issues, the Rangers need reliable arms. Corbin, who has been remarkably durable over his career, could fill that need. His track record of health, with over 1,400 innings pitched since 2016, gives the Rangers stability as they navigate injury concerns within their rotation.
Although Corbin’s recent numbers aren’t impressive, there’s a possibility he could perform better than expected with the Rangers. His ERA of 5.71 in the past four seasons may have been inflated by poor defense behind him, as evidenced by the Nationals’ -82 Defensive Runs Saved and -96 Outs Above Average during that stretch. With the Rangers’ much-improved defense, Corbin could see a rebound in his performance, particularly if he can eat innings and provide steady contributions.
Corbin is expected to take some time to get into game shape and may start the season on the injured list or with a brief optional assignment. Given his wife’s expected due date in the next few days, he won’t be joining the team in Arizona immediately but will meet them in Texas once they break camp. In the meantime, the Rangers will likely give prospects like Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter a chance to secure rotation spots. If those options don’t pan out, Corbin will be ready to step in and provide much-needed stability to the Rangers’ rotation.