Texas Rangers 2024-2025 Offseason Thread

[saddles]

Man, I hope not, lol.
We don't need another one. We had one better than him in Huff and we canned him.

He has options though, and I don't think we have any other catchers on the 40-man besides the two big league guys.

 

[donaldson79]

This is from the Athletic re: off season moves..........

Texas Rangers ​

Grade: B+

Free agents:

• RHP Nathan Eovaldi, 3 years/$75 million
• OF/DH Joc Pederson, 2 years/$37 million
• C Kyle Higashioka, 2 years/$13.5 million
• RHP Chris Martin, 1 year/$5.5 million
• LHP Hoby Milner, 1-year, $2.5 million
• RHP Jacob Webb, 1 year/$1.25 million
• RHP Shawn Armstrong, one-year deal

Trades:

• Acquired 1B/3B Jake Burger from Marlins for INF Max Acosta, INF Echedry Vargas and LHP Brayan Mendoza
• Acquired LHP Robert Garcia from Nationals for 1B Nathaniel Lowe
• Acquired LHP Mason Molina from Brewers for RHP Grant Anderson
• Acquired cash from Cubs for RHP Matt Festa

Key takeaways: The Rangers have had a strong offseason, adding significant power to their lineup with the trade for Burger and the signing of Pederson; the duo combined for 52 home runs last season with their respective teams. I loved the signing of Higashioka to improve the catcher position overall. Bringing back Eovaldi to anchor the rotation was a must and they got it done with a market contract. The pick-up of Garcia should not be overlooked as the southpaw should really help their bullpen depth. Another under-the-radar move of note: Skip Schumaker, who was hired as a senior adviser to president of baseball operations Chris Young, gives the Rangers their long-term answer at manager whenever Bruce Bochy decides to retire.

Biggest question: Will they be able to sign a closer like Tanner Scott, Carlos Estévez or Kirby Yates in free agency? That’s their biggest need.

Season prediction: First place

 

[saddles]

From Jamey Newberg:

Sarris’s figure is based on the FanGraphs RosterResource function, which now has the Rangers’ “Estimated Luxury Tax Payroll” at $234,921,667. Cot’s Baseball Contracts calculates a roughly equivalent $234,535,667. Spotrac pegs it at $228,471,666.

If the first two calculations are accurate, that would leave Texas approximately a CBT cushion of about $6 million. If the team is insistent on staying below that line, that’s not going to get Yates, or even Robertson. And that’s without considering the idea of one more right-handed-hitting outfield bat as well.

 

[saddles]

To obtain a good closer the Rangers would probably have to trade away some salary.

 

[Bmurph]

To obtain a good closer the Rangers would probably have to trade away some salary.

I don't know that anything happens until the Sasaki ball drops

 

[saddles]

I don't know that anything happens until the Sasaki ball drops

Yeah, even though his money won't count against the Luxury Tax amount, it would give them a good reason to trade a starter. Although, without Sasaki, they still need a closer.

 

[saddles]

Baseball America has their list of Top 100 International Prospects out. It is put together in order of the players' expected bonus amount. The Rangers are expected to sign the #37 and #86 international prospect. Of course, i imagine they will back out of both commitments, if they sign Sadaki. If they don't sign Sasaki they could go after another high ranked prospect that the team Sasaki goes to, has to back out from.

37. Elorky Rodriguez, OF/INF, Dominican Republic

Born: Dec. 26, 2007. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 170.
Team: Rangers

The Rangers have signed several patient hitters who control the strike zone well recently. Rodriguez fits that label. He has excellent plate discipline for his age and has a short swing with good bat path, enabling him to make contact at a high clip. The components are there for Rodriguez to get on base at a high rate and his offensive polish should lead to a good OBP when he debuts in the Dominican Summer League, though it’s mostly doubles power now and his medium frame doesn’t point to him ever being a big power threat. He’s a smart player and a solid-average runner, so the lack of typical center field speed could have him move around all three outfield spots. Over the past year, he has also spent time in the infield, something that could enhance his value if he’s able to find a home at second base or potentially bounce between second, third and the outfield.

86. Jhon Simon, 3B, Dominican Republic (Rangers)

Simon has a stocky strong, 5-foot-10 build with a lot to like at the plate. He’s physically mature for his age with the strength and bat speed to drive the ball for big power. Simon doesn’t have to sell out to generate that pop either, employing a short, efficient swing that helps him make frequent contact and the patience to draw plenty of walks. Simon is an offensive-minded player who has the arm strength for third base and could stay there if he improves his quickness and range, otherwise he could end up in an outfield corner, where he also has experience.

 

[saddles]

It has leaked out that Sasaki met with the Blue Jays last week in Toronto.

 

[saddles]

Baseball America lists the Rangers as the 4th most likely team to sign Sasaki.

4. Texas Rangers​

Bonus Pool: $6,261,600
Maximum Potential Bonus: $10,018,560

There are other teams believed to still be lurking with the hopes of landing Sasaki, whether it’s the Cubs, Giants, Mariners or possibly another team. But if Sasaki does want to play on the West Coast, the Dodgers or Padres are probably more appealing than the Giants in terms of postseason readiness. The Mariners have one playoff appearance (2022) in the last 23 years and ownership that appears unwilling to spend much to change that. The Mets would seem to check a lot of boxes, but they now seem unlikely to sign Sasaki.

The Cubs haven’t been to the playoffs the last four seasons, but they can make a pitch that will change this year. They traded for a star outfielder in Kyle Tucker, though they dealt Cody Bellinger to the Yankees. They have two Japanese players who could help mentor Sasaki in lefthander Shota Imanaga and outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who shares an agent with Sasaki.

The Rangers have been angling to make a run at Sasaki for a long time. Typically one of the most aggressive teams in the international market and in play for the top prospects most years, the Rangers this year are conspicuously absent from the premium players in the 2025 class.

Will Sasaki pick the Rangers? Among Sasaki’s strongest suitors, the Rangers had the worst 2024 record (78-84), but they can point to their 2023 World Series rings for recent success and the emergence of young players like outfielders Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter and righthander Kumar Rocker as reasons to be better this year. They also signed Joc Pederson and traded for Jake Burger.

Is that enough to make the Rangers a playoff team in 2025? The fact that Sasaki met with the Rangers when the rest of the teams he’s known to have met with had better 2024 records is encouraging that Sasaki is at least interested. It just would be hard to call them the favorites at this point.

 

[Kelleyman]

It has leaked out that Sasaki met with the Blue Jays last week in Toronto.

I have heard but can’t remember where that he might let club know on 15th but not make it official to allow the team to get more pool money

Anybody remember this ?

 

[saddles]

The Giants have been told Sasaki isn't going there. So, the process has begun.

 

[saddles]

I have heard but can’t remember where that he might let club know on 15th but not make it official to allow the team to get more pool money

Anybody remember this ?

That is the thinking. I am not sure he is on record as saying that, but folks think that is the way it will work.

 

[saddles]

Yankees are out

 

[saddles]

Sasaki has visited with the Padres in San Diego.

 

[saddles]

It would really be great to hear that we met with Sasaki today in Arlington. I am thinking that we would need to meet with him either today or tomorrow to have a chance.

 

[saddles]

Not only did the Orioles balk at a deal with Hoffman because of physical issues, but the Braves did as well.

 

[saddles]

Sasaki is not coming here.

The Rangers have been informed of that.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Sasaki is not coming here.

The Rangers have been informed of that.

I really never thought he would be. I have thought Dodgers or Padres from the beginning. If he goes anywhere else I will be really surprised.
Now let's move on to finishing making a good offseason into a great one with a quality closer.

 

[saddles]

I wonder how the Sasaki news affects the rest of what we need to do. It will make it a little more difficult to trade away a starting pitcher to free up money for a closer. They may have to trade for a closer.

Taveras is still an ill fit for this team. We need a RH OF to platoon at times with Carter. They could always go cheap and roll with Duran while trading Taveras to free up some money for a closer.

If they are going to use Gray as a closer that decision needs to be made now, so he can be prepared.

 

[saddles]

Neither the Padres nor the Didgers were toes to any of the top 40 international free agents, other than Sasaki. So, No one of importance will become available when either of those teams spend their money on Sasaki.