Texas Rangers 2025-2026 Offseason Thread

[saddles]

We have finished a second disappointing season in a row. The offseason is upon us and this team needs a whole lot of help. Most of a decent bullpen is not returning. We haven't had a real closer in years. Most of the lineup turned in somewhere between an anemic season and a pathetic season. We have some solid members of our rotation who are leaving as well.

The question is, can we fix all of those problems in one offseason? I do not believe that is possible. The only way to do that would be to make some bold trades to get rid of some dead weight and go out and sign several free agents.

The problem with signing a lot of free agents is that no one knows if the Rangers will attempt to stay under the CBT threshold again. If they did fail ro stay under in 2025 that has to be one of the biggest front office blunders in team history. If they have to stay under again we are going to have a very disappointing offseason that leads right into a very disappointing regular season in 2026.

There is so much uncertainty heading into this offseason. The previously mentioned budget is a big area of uncertainty. The status of the manager position is another one. I guess Chris Young's position is secure, but that is not a given.

Another important area of uncertainty is about the roster. Which of the young guys have earned the trust of the decision makers enough to be included in the roster building plans for 2026? Did Latz do enough to guarantee himself a rotation spot? Will Alejandro Osuna be counted on as an outfielder on the 26-man roster next season? Cody Freeman probably has a spot on the 26-man roster to begin next season, but will it be as a starter or in a bench role? What does the future look like for Helman, Harris, and Haggerty?

Freeman's role may be determined by some other roster decisions. There are some folks who follow the Rangers who think Jung and possibly Smith could be dealt this offseason. If they are traded will Freeman become our everyday third baseman?

In my estimation it is too early to give up on Jung or Smith. To me the guys who need to be dealt are Adolis, Semien, Heim, Pederson and Burger. This is the second year in a row that I have wanted to move on from the first three guys. I never wanted Pederson here to begin with and I am more than ready to trade him. I really expected a lot more from Burger, but it would probably be best to trade him.

We also have several relievers leaving via free agency if we do not resign them. I would love to get Armstrong and Milner back. Most of the relievers we brought in last offseason did well when not used as a closer and Armstrong even did well at closing. We have to sign a closer and another late inning guy and we need to bring back Armstrong and Milner.

Will Rocker be depended on to pitch in the rotation in 2026? Will Eovaldi, deGrom, Leiter, Rocker and Latz satisfy CY or will he once again spend big on a starting pitcher. The prudent thing to do seems to be to sign another starter who could pitch in long relief when those other guys are healthy. Myself, I think Corniell would do well as the fifth starter and in that scenario Latz could be the swing man.

Let's see what this offseason brings. Will it be more of the same or has CY learned some lessons about team-building.

 

[Duane1952]

I hoping they don’t offer Adolis and burger arbitration. Let Corbin and Tellez go. They are going to need the money to obtain some hitters.

 

[Kelleyman]

I hoping they don’t offer Adolis and burger arbitration. Let Corbin and Tellez go. They are going to need the money to obtain some hitters.

Kind of doubt they let both Burger and Tellez go but have to think a manager who ever it might be has a say in this besides CY

 

[Kelleyman]

We have finished a second disappointing season in a row. The offseason is upon us and this team needs a whole lot of help. Most of a decent bullpen is not returning. We haven't had a real closer in years. Most of the lineup turned in somewhere between an anemic season and a pathetic season. We have some solid members of our rotation who are leaving as well.

The question is, can we fix all of those problems in one offseason? I do not believe that is possible. The only way to do that would be to make some bold trades to get rid of some dead weight and go out and sign several free agents.

The problem with signing a lot of free agents is that no one knows if the Rangers will attempt to stay under the CBT threshold again. If they did fail ro stay under in 2025 that has to be one of the biggest front office blunders in team history. If they have to stay under again we are going to have a very disappointing offseason that leads right into a very disappointing regular season in 2026.

There is so much uncertainty heading into this offseason. The previously mentioned budget is a big area of uncertainty. The status of the manager position is another one. I guess Chris Young's position is secure, but that is not a given.

Another important area of uncertainty is about the roster. Which of the young guys have earned the trust of the decision makers enough to be included in the roster building plans for 2026? Did Latz do enough to guarantee himself a rotation spot? Will Alejandro Osuna be counted on as an outfielder on the 26-man roster next season? Cody Freeman probably has a spot on the 26-man roster to begin next season, but will it be as a starter or in a bench role? What does the future look like for Helman, Harris, and Haggerty?

Freeman's role may be determined by some other roster decisions. There are some folks who follow the Rangers who think Jung and possibly Smith could be dealt this offseason. If they are traded will Freeman become our everyday third baseman?

In my estimation it is too early to give up on Jung or Smith. To me the guys who need to be dealt are Adolis, Semien, Heim, Pederson and Burger. This is the second year in a row that I have wanted to move on from the first three guys. I never wanted Pederson here to begin with and I am more than ready to trade him. I really expected a lot more from Burger, but it would probably be best to trade him.

We also have several relievers leaving via free agency if we do not resign them. I would love to get Armstrong and Milner back. Most of the relievers we brought in last offseason did well when not used as a closer and Armstrong even did well at closing. We have to sign a closer and another late inning guy and we need to bring back Armstrong and Milner.

Will Rocker be depended on to pitch in the rotation in 2026? Will Eovaldi, deGrom, Leiter, Rocker and Latz satisfy CY or will he once again spend big on a starting pitcher. The prudent thing to do seems to be to sign another starter who could pitch in long relief when those other guys are healthy. Myself, I think Corniell would do well as the fifth starter and in that scenario Latz could be the swing man.

Let's see what this offseason brings. Will it be more of the same or has CY learned some lessons about team-building.

Thanks but in reality methinks we are in postseason times although not invited to the dance.

 

[saddles]

Thanks but in reality methinks we are in postseason times although not invited to the dance.

Lol. Unfortunately, that usually coincides with the beginning of our offseason.

 

[Kelleyman]

Evan Grant reports CY with a bit of dissatisfaction with Marcus
EG reporte decline is statistically a factor at his age

 

[saddles]

Evan Grant reports CY with a bit of dissatisfaction with Marcus
EG reporte decline is statistically a factor at his age

Marcus has only had three really good seasons, offensively.

 

[saddles]

From Jeff Wilson:

The 2025 #Rangers set the single-season MLB record for team fielding percentage at .99112, passing the 2013 Orioles (.99104).

 

[DT Moon]

From Jeff Wilson:

The 2025 #Rangers set the single-season MLB record for team fielding percentage at .99112, passing the 2013 Orioles (.99104).

Nice but the offense cast a dark shadow over the record.

 

[saddles]

CY's goal and mine are a little different. I want to strive for more than just having a chance at making the playoffs year after year. I wish he would strive to build one of the top teams in baseball, one where it would be a huge disappointment when they failed to go deep into the postseason.

This is from Evan Gran't's article about CY:

“They came here and accomplished a goal that the Texas Rangers had never achieved: winning a World Series,” Young said. “You can’t even quantify what that means to our fan base and our organization. But, I can speak for myself that my goal in this job is not to just win one; it’s to get back to the playoffs or have a chance for the playoffs year after year. We have not accomplished that since 2023, so for me, we haven’t done what we need to do, and we’ve got to look for ways to improve that. Accountability falls on everybody. We, collectively, myself included.”

 

[saddles]

From Evan Grant:

Over the last two years, Semien’s .686 OPS ranks 110th of 118 players with at least 1,000 plate appearances. Adolis García, at .675, ranks lower, but García’s contract expires after this year, and for months, it’s been understood he’s not coming back. Semien has three more years left at $25 million per year.

 

[DT Moon]

From Evan Grant:

Over the last two years, Semien’s .686 OPS ranks 110th of 118 players with at least 1,000 plate appearances. Adolis García, at .675, ranks lower, but García’s contract expires after this year, and for months, it’s been understood he’s not coming back. Semien has three more years left at $25 million per year.

Must find a way to dump Marcus.

 

[saddles]

What would we realistically have to pay on Semien's remaining contract to trade him.

He is due:

2026 - $26 million
2027- $26 million
2028- $20 million

Of course, it depends on who they trade him to. For example, the Yankees, Dodgers, Mets, and a few other teams can afford to pay more.

I think we would have to pay $10-13 million in 2026, $13-14 million in 2027, and $10-12 million in 2028. It might be a little less costly for those few teams I mentioned above, and it could be a little more costly if traded to certain other teams.

The next question is, what can we reasonably expect in return? We might get a solid late inning reliever or a solid catcher to pair with Higashioka. Or we may have to settle for a prospect, but those would help to bolster our system, and that is needed.

One possible scenario:

We trade Semien to the Mets agreeing to pay what I suggested above. We get one of the following prospects from the Mets in return.

Pitcher Will Watson #11 Mets Prospect

1B/COF Ryan Clifford #7 Mets Prospect

3B/1B Jacob Reimer #6 Mets Prospect

 

[Senator_fan]

From Jeff Wilson:

The 2025 #Rangers set the single-season MLB record for team fielding percentage at .99112, passing the 2013 Orioles (.99104).

This and the lowest team ERA and miss the playoffs is inexcusable. Yes the hitting was terrible but so is Cleveland’s and look what they did.

 

[saddles]

From Evan Grant:

There will be scars from this season for Jake Burger.

Emotional ones, for sure. Turns out there will be physical ones, too.

Burger, who broke a 2-for-28 skid with a two-run single in the third inning of the season finale, confirmed with The Dallas Morning News Sunday that he will have surgery later this week to repair a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist, a lingering issue from an injury he sustained in mid-August, only days after he’d returned from an injured list stint.

 

[fanman8825]

This and the lowest team ERA and miss the playoffs is inexcusable. Yes the hitting was terrible but so is Cleveland’s and look what they did.

I agree and what a waste. It looked like there was a disconnect with this team. Bochy seemed to ignore it. Think he wants to manage a team where he does not have to give pep talks or put much effort into motivating guys. When key players stopped hitting and the slumps continued the skipper got frustrated. Think it took its toll on him.
I doubt Bochy comes back unless CY convinces him there will be major roster changes.

 

[Senator_fan]

What would we realistically have to pay on Semien's remaining contract to trade him.

He is due:

2026 - $26 million
2027- $26 million
2028- $20 million

Of course, it depends on who they trade him to. For example, the Yankees, Dodgers, Mets, and a few other teams can afford to pay more.

I think we would have to pay $10-13 million in 2026, $13-14 million in 2027, and $10-12 million in 2028. It might be a little less costly for those few teams I mentioned above, and it could be a little more costly if traded to certain other teams.

The next question is, what can we reasonably expect in return? We might get a solid late inning reliever or a solid catcher to pair with Higashioka. Or we may have to settle for a prospect, but those would help to bolster our system, and that is needed.

One possible scenario:

We trade Semien to the Mets agreeing to pay what I suggested above. We get one of the following prospects from the Mets in return.

Pitcher Will Watson #11 Mets Prospect

1B/COF Ryan Clifford #7 Mets Prospect

3B/1B Jacob Reimer #6 Mets Prospect

If this could be pulled off I’d rather see Jung and top 10 prospect(s) sent to the Mets for Nolan McLean but the Mets may not trade him because he has performed so well in his first 7 starts. They could move Baty to 2B. The Mets are not happy with Vientos defense.

McLean is more advanced than Leiter. 1.5 G/F ratio, 10.7 K’s per nine. He has six pitches with good movement.

This rotation would be very solid next year.
Eovaldi
De Grom
Mclean
Leiter
Rocker/Latz/Bradford

 

[saddles]

If this could be pulled off I’d rather see Jung and top 10 prospect(s) sent to the Mets for Nolan McLean but the Mets may not trade him because he has performed so well in his first 7 starts. They could move Baty to 2B. The Mets are not happy with Vientos defense.

McLean is more advanced than Leiter. 1.5 G/F ratio, 10.7 K’s per nine. He has six pitches with good movement.

This rotation would be very solid next year.
Eovaldi
De Grom
Mclean
Leiter
Rocker/Latz/Bradford

Then we would have more good starting pitching and an even worse offense.

That would also add another void to fill. That would give us voids at C, 1B, 2B, 3B, RF and DH. Freeman and Osuna might fill 2 of those, but it still leaves 4 more voids. Not to mention the 4 or 5 bullpen spots.

I guess if you add a pitcher like McLean and then trade deGrom you might fill some voids with the return for deGrom. Then again, deGrom would have to okay a trade so that might hamper the return we would get back.

I could see trading Jung if we are going to do a rebuild, but then we would need to trade him for prospects.

 

[saddles]

The Rangers final drafting slot is 14th. After the lottery it could be slightly worse or there is an extremely slim chance that it could be 6th or better. I guess if it happened to the Mavericks it could happen to us. Most likely it will be 14th though.

The latest draft board available is from Prep Baseball Report. They have a local kid at #14.

Cole Koeninger

SS

Keller HS (TX)

They also have the Rangers selecting Koeninger in their mock draft.

 

[saddles]

A Bleacher Report mock draft has this:

14. Texas Rangers: OF Brady Harris, Trinity Christian Academy (FL)
A toolsy outfielder with significant raw power potential and the athleticism to stick in center field, Harris possesses elite bat speed and the potential to be a middle-of-the-order run producer if everything clicks. Center fielders with 30/30 potential don't grow on trees, and that could push him up draft boards next spring.