Rangers sign Evan Meek, Randy Wells, 2 others to minor league deals with spring training invitations

The Rangers haven't made a big splash in free agency yet, but they have signed four players to minor league deals with invites to spring training, all of whom have major league experience.

Right-handed pitcher Evan Meek spent most of last season in Indianapolis, the AAA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. In parts of five seasons with the Pirates, Meek amassed a 3.34 earned run average in 156 relief appearances. He was also voted an All-Star in 2008.

Randy Wells had a rough go of it with the Chicago Cubs and their AAA affiliate Iowa last season. He appeared in 12 games with the big club, finishing with a 5.34 earned run average. In nine starts with Iowa, he amassed a 7.89 earned run average. Wells has been much more productive over the course of his entire career with a 28-32 record and a 4.08 earned run average over 98 games, including 86 starts for the Toronto Blue Jays and Cubs.

Right-handed pitcher Jake Brigham is back with the organization after being traded to the Cubs for Geovany Soto at the trade deadline. He spent the entire season at AA before being put on the disabled list in early August with an elbow strain in his throwing arm.

First baseman Brandon Allen has also signed on with the Rangers. He spent parts of last season with the Oakland A's, Tampa Bay Rays and Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in the Japanese Pacific League.