Texas Rangers 2024-2025 Offseason Thread

[saddles]

Jim Bowden has an article today mentioning a free agent fit for each team.

Texas Rangers — Jeff Hoffman, RHP (3 years, $27 million​

Under general manager Chris Young, the Rangers have always looked to improve the rotation and the bullpen, and Hoffman would be a great addition as they build the back end of their pen. Hoffman posted a 2.17 ERA and 0.965 WHIP over 68 appearances last season with the Phillies. It was his second consecutive year with an ERA below 2.50. He had 10 saves last season and ranked in the 96th percentile in chase rate, whiff rate and strikeout percentage.

 

[DT LUNA]

Jim Bowden has an article today mentioning a free agent fit for each team.

Texas Rangers — Jeff Hoffman, RHP (3 years, $27 million​

Under general manager Chris Young, the Rangers have always looked to improve the rotation and the bullpen, and Hoffman would be a great addition as they build the back end of their pen. Hoffman posted a 2.17 ERA and 0.965 WHIP over 68 appearances last season with the Phillies. It was his second consecutive year with an ERA below 2.50. He had 10 saves last season and ranked in the 96th percentile in chase rate, whiff rate and strikeout percentage.

Since when has CY and the Rangers always looked to improve the BP? Ha.
Maybe this is the year they might get serious.

 

[saddles]

Since when has CY and the Rangers always looked to improve the BP? Ha.
Maybe this is the year they might get serious.

To be fair, Yates and Robertson were definite improvements over the year before. Now, let's see if he can get some quality middle innings guys along with quality late innings guys.

 

[scotsman#1948]

To be fair, Yates and Robertson were definite improvements over the year before. Now, let's see if he can get some quality middle innings guys along with quality late innings guys.

yeah but the rest still sucked

 

[saddles]

yeah but the rest still sucked

Yeah, I never said there wasn't still room for improvement. Lol. Just that there was some improvement.

 

[saddles]

Bieber is said to have turned down more money to stay in Cleveland.

 

[scotsman#1948]

Yeah, I never said there wasn't still room for improvement. Lol. Just that there was some improvement.

but does anyone want to play for the rangers?

 

[saddles]

From Ken Rosenthal:

Source confirms: Mets in agreement with free agent right-hander Clay Holmes on three-year, $38M contract, pending physical. Opt out after second year. Plan is to make him a starter.

 

[Kelleyman]

From Ken Rosenthal:

Source confirms: Mets in agreement with free agent right-hander Clay Holmes on three-year, $38M contract, pending physical. Opt out after second year. Plan is to make him a starter.

Had not considered that

A starter

 

[saddles]

The Soto bidding is reported to be up to at least $700 million.

 

[saddles]

Had not considered that

A starter

Yeah, him and another reliever free agent have been considered as starters.

 

[Duane1952]

The Soto bidding is reported to be up to at least $700 million.

I see where the Astros offered Bregman 6 for 156 million. He wants 200.

 

[saddles]

From Jeff Passan:

News: Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki is expected to be officially posted at Major League Baseball’s winter meetings, opening a 45-day window Tuesday that will allow him to sign after Jan. 15, 2025, sources told ESPN.

 

[fanman8825]

From Jeff Passan:

News: Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki is expected to be officially posted at Major League Baseball’s winter meetings, opening a 45-day window Tuesday that will allow him to sign after Jan. 15, 2025, sources told ESPN.

Would love to get him. I guess a pipe dream

 

[saddles]

Adrian Houser to Rangers.

 

[saddles]

Houser was awful as a starting pitcher last year, but decent as a reliever. Probably a 6th inning guy.

It is a minor league deal with an invite to ST.

 

[saddles]

From Mlbtraderumors.com:

While it seemed like Houser had found his groove as a long reliever, the Mets opted to designate him for assignment and then release him in late July. The Cubs and Orioles each signed Houser to minor league contracts during the season but those deals failed to translate into any more big league playing time for the righty.

Houser has started 104 of his 152 career Major League games, delivering solid-to-passable results as a swingman for the Brewers for much of his career. A grounder specialist whose career strikeout rate is only 18.5%, Houser’s results in 2024 could somewhat close the door on his usage as a starter, even if the Rangers could see value in having a swingman around as rotation depth. Beyond just last year’s splits, Houser has a 2.32 ERA in 97 career innings as a reliever, as compared to a much less impressive 4.57 ERA in 511 2/3 frames as a starter.

Relief pitching is also a much more significant need for a Rangers team could lose most of its 2024 bullpen (Kirby Yates, David Robertson, Jose Leclerc, Jose Urena, and Andrew Chafin) to free agency, plus Josh Sborz will be out until at least the start of June due to offseason shoulder surgery. A multi-inning reliever like Houser could eat some up valuable innings out of the bullpen, while also providing a rotation safety net. The current Texas pitching staff of Jacob deGrom, Jon Gray, Tyler Mahle, Kumar Rocker, and Jack Leiter is full of health question marks or inexperienced arms, so in addition to depth signings like Houser, the Rangers are also hoping to re-sign at least one of Nathan Eovaldi or Andrew Heaney.

 

[saddles]

Would love to get him. I guess a pipe dream

I think we have a shot.

 

[saddles]

The chances of signing Roki Sasaki

Dodgers 25%
Padres 22%
Rangers 20%
The Rest 33%

 

[saddles]

From Evan Grant:

The Rangers, in a statement to The Dallas Morning News Saturday, expressed optimism that their deal would soon be completed. The expectation is the Rangers’ deal would be more lucrative than what they would be offered in a return to Diamond, but the Rangers took a discount of nearly $15 million in their deal with Diamond in 2024. A renegotiation with the company was only likely to further discount the rights.

“The Rangers continue to work toward a resolution for the club’s television broadcasts in 2025 and beyond,” the statement said. “The club remains committed to providing extensive viewing options for Rangers fans, and we are optimistic about delivering on this effort. We look forward to sharing these options in the coming weeks as details are finalized.”