Texas Rangers 2024-2025 Offseason Thread

[Kelleyman]

Now, I wonder about Taveras. Will he be traded next?

Who do we have as a 4th OF defensive replacement? Surely not Josh or Zeke although both can play OF but need a solid CF

 

[Duane1952]

Who do we have as a 4th OF defensive replacement? Surely not Josh or Zeke although both can play OF but need a solid CF

Maybe Harris.

 

[saddles]

From Jared Sandler:

MINI-THREAD ON ROBERT GARCIA

Since MLB debut in 2023, Robert Garcia’s 28.6% K rate is way above the league average of around 22.6% and his 7.4% BB% is better than the league average of around 8.4%. Opposing hitters have a combined .621 OPS against Garcia over 378 batters faced.

Garcia is a LHP who excels against LHB but he is also very capable against RHB.

In his career…

vs LHB: .222/.291/.302/.595
vs RHB: .245/.296/.341/.637

Why does he have success? In addition to a very good K:BB rate, he doesn’t get hit hard. Last year he ranked in the 98th percentile in Barrel % (3.1%) and Hard-Hit % (30.2%).

Garcia throws a FB, CH, and SL, though he didn’t throw a single CH to a LHB last year and threw his slider very rarely to RHB. The CH helps neutralize RHB for Garcia, who held RHB to a .200 BA and a .213 SLG on that pitch (.195 wOBA/.193 xwOBA) in 2024.

Don’t let Robert Garcia’s 4.22 ERA last year decide you. He was really good posting a 2.45 FIP, a figure that suggests his 4.22 was very unlucky. As a matter of fact, Garcia’s FIP was 1.84 runs lower than his ERA, 6th most unlucky among all pitchers with 50+ IP in 2024.

 

[Kelleyman]

Maybe Harris.

Well he is on the roster. Just wondering who could be defense first and natural CF. This way Leody can be moved

 

[saddles]

Who do we have as a 4th OF defensive replacement? Surely not Josh or Zeke although both can play OF but need a solid CF

Yes, Josh and Zeke are 2 options to play CF after Carter and Langford. Harris can play there as well. There are also inexpensive free agents they can sign who can play CF, such as Austin Hays.

If both Carter and Langford cannot play for an extended time, at the same time, it might not matter who we have in CF. Lol

 

[saddles]

Well he is on the roster. Just wondering who could be defense first and natural CF. This way Leody can be moved

I think you are making an unnecessary requirement in thinking we have to have what you refer to as a natural CF on the 26-man roster in addition to Carter and Langford.

And Harris does have 67 games in CF. We once put Ian Desmond out there as a starter with no experience and he did very good.

 

[saddles]

But you have to know it is Burgers job at this point but obviously it does give a little light for Crim

Have to think Joc is now on their radar as well as a closer

Burger will definitely get some time there, but he may be the DH a lot of the time.

 

[saddles]

From Jamey Newberg:

His 11.31 strikeouts per nine innings (75 in 59 ⅔ frames) was the seventh-best rate of any reliever in baseball with at least 50 innings pitched. His home run rate (0.60 per nine innings) was 10th best. He was beset by bad luck when the ball was put in play; according to Baseball Savant, though his ERA was 4.22, his expected ERA (based on quality of contact) was 2.53, a staggering difference. His opponents’ batting average was .237; his expected number was .207. He was in the 94th percentile in chase rate, 98th in both barrel rate and hard-hit rate. His expected slugging against was .294, in the top 4 percent of MLB. His .248 expected on-base against was top 3 percent.

 

[saddles]

More from Jamey Newberg:

The additions of Hoby Milner and Jacob Webb, who along with Garcia will cost under $5 million combined in 2025, shore up the middle of the relief corps nicely. But none is going to be counted on for saves.

That’s where the Lowe trade could set Texas up to spend what it takes to bring Kirby Yates back — or even load up for Tanner Scott (who, because he was traded during the 2024 season, was ineligible to receive a Qualifying Offer from the Padres and thus won’t cost any draft picks or international bonus pool money to sign) — and maybe dip into the David Roberston-Paul Sewald-Tommy Kahnle tier for a second pickup. If not, maybe Chris Martin or Colin Poche, each with local ties.

 

[saddles]

There is no reason the team cannot afford both Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I think you are making an unnecessary requirement in thinking we have to have what you refer to as a natural CF on the 26-man roster in addition to Carter and Langford.

And Harris does have 67 games in CF. We once put Ian Desmond out there as a starter with no experience and he did very good.

Harris doesn't excite me one bit. To me that is not a step in the right direction.

 

[saddles]

There is no reason the team cannot afford both Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates.

Along with Austin Hayes and another cheaper free agent reliever.

 

[saddles]

Harris doesn't excite me one bit. To me that is not a step in the right direction.

You don't even like him as a 4th or 5th OF? He could also back up 1B and 3B when needed.

 

[The Q]

There is no reason the team cannot afford both Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates.

The diamond cable deal blowing up is the reason

But blowing a draft pick and big money on a rp isn’t ideal when you can bring Yates back

 

[saddles]

The diamond cable deal blowing up is the reason

But blowing a draft pick and big money on a rp isn’t ideal when you can bring Yates back

The cable deal has nothing to do with anything.

 

[saddles]

But blowing a draft pick and big money on a rp isn’t ideal when you can bring Yates back

Tanner Scott would not cost a draft pick and we can sign both of them. And we should.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

You don't even like him as a 4th or 5th OF? He could also back up 1B and 3B when needed.

No. Keep him in the minors. When we actually need him because of injuries then call him up.

 

[saddles]

No. Keep him in the minors. When we actually need him because of injuries then call him up.

Probably Smith and Duran should be considered the 4th and 5th OF unless we sign Hays. I mainly brought up Harris as someone who could play CF as a result of injuries. I think Carter and Langford would both have to be hurt for him to get any substantial playing time in CF, and even then, he would probably be on the bench unless he does something to impress Bochy.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Probably Smith and Duran should be considered the 4th and 5th OF unless we sign Hays. I mainly brought up Harris as someone who could play CF as a result of injuries. I think Carter and Langford would both have to be hurt for him to get any substantial playing time in CF, and even then, he would probably be on the bench unless he does something to impress Bochy.

I definitely agree with that scenario.

 

[saddles]

From Jeff Passan:

BREAKING: Left-hander Sean Manaea and the New York Mets are in agreement on a three-year, $75 million contract, sources tell ESPN. The 32-year-old is running it back with the Mets.