Texas Rangers 2024-2025 Offseason Thread

[saddles]

From Kennedi Landry:

Manager Bruce Bochy said he talked to Semien about the possibility of taking more days off next year, but everything is about keeping the team leader fresh and ready to go throughout a full regular season and a potential postseason run.

Bochy added that they’ve discussed both giving Semien some off-days and also moving him around in the batting order once it becomes more clear what the lineup will look like come Opening Day.

“He'll tell you, he didn't have the offensive season that he normally has,” Bochy said. “With that, you look at his numbers up there, he scored over 100 runs. He had over 20 home runs and [74] RBIs. That's pretty good for a leadoff guy. I know we've set the bar pretty high, and Marcus has for himself, but it's not a bad season. … But yes, I would like to rest him more. I think it would benefit him.”

 

[saddles]

They like Kumar and Walcott a lot. The rest they are not enthused about. Will be interesting to see how Moore and Dreiling do this year

We have done a fairly poor job drafting hitters in the last 4 drafts with the exception of Langford and Jung. Zavala, Cauley and Moller made for a horrible draft that year.

I do have hope for Dreiling.

Hopefully, a couple of our recent international signings will do well as they move through the system.

 

[saddles]

We have done a fairly poor job drafting hitters in the last 4 drafts with the exception of Langford and Jung. Zavala, Cauley and Moller made for a horrible draft that year.

I do have hope for Dreiling.

Hopefully, a couple of our recent international signings will do well as they move through the system.

It doesn't help that we have two really good hitters at the AAA level that the team refuses to give a good look at, in Crim and Huff.

 

[saddles]

Prospects Live 2025 Mock Draft

12. TEXAS RANGERS - OF DEVIN TAYLOR, INDIANA​

 

[Kelleyman]

It doesn't help that we have two really good hitters at the AAA level that the team refuses to give a good look at, in Crim and Huff.

You like Huff better than me and it’s too late due to no options.
I hope Crim gets a shot

 

[scotsman#1948]

Arenado has shot down the Cardinals attempt to trade him to Houston using his full No-Trade option

 

[saddles]

I hope Crim gets a shot

I think if that was going to happen, it would have happened back in September. They feel the same way about him as they do about Huff. Hopefully, both of them get a chance to play for another team in 2025.

 

[saddles]

From Chandler Rome:

Important to note the fluidity of this situation. Discussions will continue and there is still a possibility Nolan Arenado ends up with the Astros.

 

[Duane1952]

From Chandler Rome:

Important to note the fluidity of this situation. Discussions will continue and there is still a possibility Nolan Arenado ends up with the Astros.

Probably wants more money.

 

[saddles]

Lorenzen and his agent are pushing the idea for a team to sign him and let him play enough in the field or DH to be designated a 2-way player. If that does happen he could then be traded to a contender at the deadline and could be a 14th pitcher for that team while every other team could only carry 13 pitchers. He would only need to DH or play the field in 20 games and get at least 3 plate appearances in each game.

It would most likely take a team like the White Sox or Marlins to allow him to do that. Lorrnaen has a career .710 OPS in 147 plate appearances. He has played 34 games in the OF in his career, mostly in CF. For comparison, Taveras has a career OPS of .664.

When the Rangers acquired him last year, I wondered if they would play him in the OF at times.

 

[saddles]

GREAT NEWS!!!

From Jeff Wilson:

The Texas Rangers have a plan in place for fans to watch the games in a way that has never been possible before — over the air, on a linear network and streaming.

Industry sources indicated that the final details of the plan are being finalized but an announcement is expected early in 2025. The over-the-air network will be similar to what teams had in place before cable penetration took hold in the 1980s.

There are 34 television markets in which the Rangers would like to broadcast games. The plan is to strike a deal with at least one station in each of those markets. The process of achieving that goal is ongoing, but the games would be available over the air in each of those markets.


One benefit that remains with traditional over-the-air broadcasts is cross-promotion. When viewers are watching other shows, like a morning or noon newscast on that station, they will be reminded that later that day they can watch Rangers baseball.

The games will also be available on a linear network. This would include carriers like Directv or Dish Network. Recall that Bally Sports Southwest remained available on Directv even when other carriers, like cable companies, could not come to an agreement with the network.

Finally, there is the digital component. The Rangers are planning a direct-to-consumer product where fans would stream the games on any of their devices, including smart televisions. Bally Sports was never able to perfect its direct-to-consumer (DTC) product.

 

[saddles]

It looks like the TV deal will be everything I was hoping for.

 

[Duane1952]

GREAT NEWS!!!

From Jeff Wilson:

The Texas Rangers have a plan in place for fans to watch the games in a way that has never been possible before — over the air, on a linear network and streaming.

Industry sources indicated that the final details of the plan are being finalized but an announcement is expected early in 2025. The over-the-air network will be similar to what teams had in place before cable penetration took hold in the 1980s.

There are 34 television markets in which the Rangers would like to broadcast games. The plan is to strike a deal with at least one station in each of those markets. The process of achieving that goal is ongoing, but the games would be available over the air in each of those markets.


One benefit that remains with traditional over-the-air broadcasts is cross-promotion. When viewers are watching other shows, like a morning or noon newscast on that station, they will be reminded that later that day they can watch Rangers baseball.

The games will also be available on a linear network. This would include carriers like Directv or Dish Network. Recall that Bally Sports Southwest remained available on Directv even when other carriers, like cable companies, could not come to an agreement with the network.

Finally, there is the digital component. The Rangers are planning a direct-to-consumer product where fans would stream the games on any of their devices, including smart televisions. Bally Sports was never able to perfect its direct-to-consumer (DTC) product.

Sure sounds good.

 

[Kelleyman]

It looks like the TV deal will be everything I was hoping for.

Does not say specifically but back to 21 eh. Thanks for posting as usual

 

[saddles]

Here is a link to the DLLS podcast where they talk about the upcoming TV deal.

NEW TV DEAL? & Top MLB Prospects & 2025 Rankings Unveiled! | DLLS Rangers Podcast

JOIN THE DLLS DIEHARDS! https://www.alldlls.com/join-diehardWe talk about the new tv deal that's under works and The Texas Rangers are looking brighter than ...

www.youtube.com

 

[saddles]

From Jon Heyman:

Market for star back-end relievers finally starting to percolate — Estevez, Scott, Yates and Hoffman. More good pen pieces still out there too: Jansen, Minter, Robertson, Leclerc, Kahnle, Maton, Stanek, Coulombe, Sewald, Kittredge, Hill, Chafin, Neris, Raley, Hill, Moore, more

 

[saddles]

From Texas Rangers PR:

RHP Roansy Contreras, who was designated for assignment by the Rangers last Thursday, has been claimed on waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

55 days until pitchers and catchers report

 

[Duane1952]

There’s a trade rumor that Cardinals are willing to trade their closer Ryan Helsley to the Rangers for Osuna and Bratt.