Texas Rangers 2024-2025 Offseason Thread

[saddles]

From Jamey Newberg:


Among the non-tenders around the league who jumped out at me as potential free-agent targets for the Rangers:

• OF Austin Hays (Phillies): I’m very intrigued by this one. As discussed at length in the left field and center field entries in my roster-building series (see below), it would make a lot of sense for the Rangers to bring in both a strong right-handed hitter to pair with Evan Carter and a late-inning defensive replacement — assuming they want someone at a lesser cost than Leody Taveras — who can step in if Carter is pulled for a pinch-hitter against a tough southpaw reliever. Hays could fill both roles.
  • He hit .354/.405/.537 (.941 OPS) in 90 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers in 2024. For his seven-year career, he has an OPS of .800 against lefties (.719 against righties).
  • The 29-year-old was an All-Star — as well as a Gold Glove finalist (as a left fielder) — in 2023 with the Orioles.
  • Trading for him — which is something I’m sure Philadelphia exploreed — was probably not an attractive option given that Hays’s arbitration projection called for a $6.4 million contract.
  • This one is worth keeping close tabs on. Hays will surely look for an everyday role, but if one doesn’t materialize, he’d conceivably have an opportunity here for a significant role that could make a deal attractive to both sides.
• Relievers with recent closer experience:
  • RHP Jordan Romano (Blue Jays)
  • RHP Kyle Finnegan (Nationals)
  • RHP Adbert Alzolay (Cubs) — though he’ll miss most of the 2025 season after August 2024 Tommy John surgery
• Potential leverage relievers:
  • LHP Colin Poche (Rays) — Flower Mound native
  • RHP Brent Honeywell (Dodgers)
  • RHP Dillon Tate (Blue Jays)
  • RHP Tanner Rainey (Nationals)
  • LHP Hoby Milner (Brewers)
  • RHP JT Chargois (Mariners)
  • RHP Jacob Webb (Orioles)
• Rotation depth:
  • RHP Cal Quantrill (Rockies)
  • RHP Griffin Canning (Braves) — barely; he came over on Halloween for OF Jorge Soler
  • LHP Patrick Sandoval (Angels) — expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season after June 2024 Tommy John surgery
• Outfield options:
  • OF Ramon Laureano (Braves) — perhaps a fallback to Hays; .869 OPS against lefties in 2024 (.802 career) and can play all three outfield spots
  • OF Dylan Carlson (Rays) — switch-hitter historically better against lefties
  • OF Mike Tauchman (Cubs)

The ones I am interested in are Austin Hays, JT Chargois and Jacob Webb. If we signed those 3 guys along with 2 guys as good or better than Yates and Robertson, for the pen, I would consider the offseason a success.

 

[saddles]

Former Ranger, Rico Carty, passed away at the age of 85.

 

[Duane1952]

Former Ranger, Rico Carty, passed away at the age of 85.

Watch him play when I lived in Florida and got Atlanta Brave games. He would cut down on his swing when he got 2 strikes.

 

[saddles]

I have read that Marc Church has a new pitch and he is excited about it.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Former Ranger, Rico Carty, passed away at the age of 85.

Great hitter. Had just around 350 ABs for the Rangers. Remember him best as a Brave of course.

 

[Kelleyman]

Juan Soto meet and greet tour so far. No offers yet I hear. Still early
Let’s see what happens come December

 

[saddles]

Juan Soto meet and greet tour so far. No offers yet I hear. Still early
Let’s see what happens come December

The Astros have made an offer to Bregman and have had talks with Verlander.

 

[saddles]

The Yankees are said to have shown interest in Buehler, Burmes, Fried, Snell and Manaeh.

 

[saddles]

I have read that Marc Church has a new pitch and he is excited about it.

His new pitch is a splitter and he said he had a lot of success with it in the AFL. He said it made his fastball and slider a lot more effective too.

I think he makes the club out of ST. He almost did that this year.

 

[saddles]

Yusei Kikuchi to the Angels. $63M, 3 years.

 

[saddles]

From Jon Heyman:

Angels are back in the ballgame. That’s about $100M spent (Soler, d’Arnaud, Hendricks, Newman too) for early MLB spending lead.

 

[Kelleyman]

From Jon Heyman:

Angels are back in the ballgame. That’s about $100M spent (Soler, d’Arnaud, Hendricks, Newman too) for early MLB spending lead.

I guess Halos did not get my memo to wait until after Thanksgiving

 

[saddles]

I guess Halos did not get my memo to wait until after Thanksgiving

Lol

They got the memo that says, "you snooze, you lose."

 

[saddles]

Yusei Kikuchi to the Angels. $63M, 3 years.

Okay, the market is set, if the Rangers are going to sign Eovaldi.

 

[saddles]

Orioles Name Robinson Chirinos Bench Coach mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/oriole…

 

[saddles]

From mlbtraderumors.com:

• Chris Martin has suggested that 2025 will almost certainly be the final season of his career, and MassLive.com’s Sean McAdam believes Martin “likely looking to pitch closer to his Texas home.” The 38-year-old Martin has spoken about his desire to spend more time with his growing family, so this could factor more into his decision-making process than necessarily chasing the biggest offers available. Martin was born in Arlington and already pitched with his hometown Rangers during the 2017-18 seasons, and naturally the Astros would also be a logical destination if geography is Martin’s chief concern. Martin figures to draw a lot of attention from teams all over the map, as he posted a 3.45 ERA and an elite 1.7% walk rate in 44 1/3 innings for the Red Sox in 2024.

 

[Duane1952]

Okay, the market is set, if the Rangers are going to sign Eovaldi.

All many years should they sign him for. He’s 34.

 

[saddles]

All many years should they sign him for. He’s 34.

Myself, I wouldn't spend anywhere near that much for a starting pitcher with our bullpen needs.

 

[saddles]

Another interesting non-tender is relief pitcher, Hunter Stratton. He may miss a couple of months at the beginning of the season, but he could be a low cost option at some point in the first couple of months of the season.

 

[saddles]

From Baseball America:

International bonus board for the 2025 class is dropping tomorrow at BA. New reports and the teams for big names to know for January 15 signings.