The Texas Rangers saw their offseason arrive a little sooner than expected. They might consider using that extra time to seek a contract extension with Yu Darvish.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News suggests the Rangers should pursue an extension with Darvish, who will be in line for a huge payday when he reaches free agency after the 2017 season. “Given how much Darvish seemed to enjoy the Rangers in 2016, it's time to parlay those good feelings into substantive contract talks. The Rangers may never get a hometown discount out of those feelings, but a fair offer is more likely to be met with an open mind than if he gets to spring training and is focused solely on 2017 and impending free agency,” Grant writes.

After missing all of 2015 following Tommy John surgery, Darvish debuted in late May and was 7-5 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.261 WHIP in 17 starts. The Japanese right-hander lost his only Division Series start, as the Rangers were swept by the Blue Jays in three games.

A three-time All-Star, Darvish is 46-30 with a 3.41 ERA in 100 career starts for the Rangers.

Assuming the 2018 team options for Chris Sale and Madison Bumgarner are exercised, Darvish, who will make $11 million in 2017, will likely be the top free-agent starter on the market next winter.

While the Rangers would like to lock up the 30-year-old Darvish, they are a team built to win now, and a more immediate need will be to add another starting pitcher for 2017, writes ESPN’s Jim Bowden .

-- Doug Mittler