Victor Payano signs with the Miami Marlins

Lefthanded pitcher Victor Payano, who had been in the Rangers’ organization since signing with the team out of the Dominican Republic, has joined the Miami Marlins on a minor league deal.

Payano, 24, became a minor league free agent after the Rangers opted not to add him to their 40 man roster at season’s end. Payano split the 2016 season between Frisco and Round Rock, putting up a 4.37 ERA in 127.2 IP over 25 games (23 starts), with 116 strikeouts against 60 walks.

Payano has a live arm, but has struggled mightily with command, as reflected by a career 5.4 BB/9 rate. Still, its my understanding that the Rangers wanted to keep him in the organization and re-sign him, in the hopes that the efforts they’ve devoted to developing him would potentially pay off in 2017.

Instead, should Payano blossom this year, it will be in the Marlins’ organization rather than in Texas.