Texas Rangers 2025-2026 Offseason Thread

[Kelleyman]

That is a good start. I think if we get an elite defensive catcher we would probably need to get an offensive upgrade at the #1 catcher as well. Either that or the overall offensive output from the catcher position will decline.

You kept Burger and Pederson, but we may not be able to make all the required upgrades in one offseason, anyway. Myself, I would rather replace Pederson and keep Heim, if we are only discarding three hitters and the first two are Semienand Garcia.

The long range answer at catcher lies somewhere beyond this offseason, I think. We may have to restock the system and then trade for a really good catcher. Maybe Vahn Lackey will fall into our laps in the draft and he will get here quickly.

I don’t think they will shed two big contracts so to me this is the most realistic even if not the most ideal

 

[saddles]

I don’t think they will shed two big contracts so to me this is the most realistic even if not the most ideal

Finding out about Freeman, Osuna, Latz, Corniell, and Rocker in 2026 is something worth doing. It will be good to find out about them with an extended amount of playing time. I guess we can throw Marc Church and Emiliano Teodo into that mix at some point, as well.

On a different note, we will be able to see if Carter and Bradford can stay healthy.

Being able to pick up some prospects at the deadline would be very beneficial, as well.

 

[Kelleyman]

Finding out about Freeman, Osuna, Latz, Corniell, and Rocker in 2026 is something worth doing. It will be good to find out about them with an extended amount of playing time. I guess we can throw Marc Church and Emiliano Teodo into that mix at some point, as well.

On a different note, we will be able to see if Carter and Bradford can stay healthy.

Being able to pick up some prospects at the deadline will be very beneficial, as well.

This still does that but if we move Joc in the offseason, have to think we go in-house with DH
Other than Sam H I am not sure who is ready

Best case is if Joc plays well we move him at break if not in it but if he is the same then we just let him go

Maybe Ortiz is ready then

 

[Kelleyman]

Defense matters. AJ Points out bad no cut but a bad throw and catcher blew it too

Ready to improve our offense but sure don’t want replacements to be shoddy defensively

 

[Duane1952]

Defense matters. AJ Points out bad no cut but a bad throw and catcher blew it too

Ready to improve our offense but sure don’t want replacements to be shoddy defensively

I for Defense. But Heim has been absolutely useless with a bat the last 2 seasons. And only threw out 12 % of the base stealers last season. There has to be someone out there better than him.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

He has been declining with the bat for a least 2 seasons. Apparently no one can tell he can’t be in the lineup everyday.

True. He starts off fast and then declines as the season goes on.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Defense matters. AJ Points out bad no cut but a bad throw and catcher blew it too

Ready to improve our offense but sure don’t want replacements to be shoddy defensively

Agree that defense matters. IKF just made an error in the 1st inning leading to an unearned run for the Yankees. And it cost Cleveland a series sweep. Defense just can't be undervalued.

 

[saddles]

From Bob Nightengale:

The Texas Rangers sign right-handed reliever Declan Cronin to a 2-year minor league contract. He will miss next year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

 

[Kelleyman]

NY has to be going crazy 2nd guessing Boone for not pulling Rodon

Will be tough off-season as he may be on hot seat
Glad we already signed Skip

 

[Kelleyman]

I for Defense. But Heim has been absolutely useless with a bat the last 2 seasons. And only threw out 12 % of the base stealers last season. There has to be someone out there better than him.

Agree. I want our #2 catcher to be elite defensively
Heim is done

 

[saddles]

Walcott is 2 for 3 so far tonight with a 110.1 MPH double and a single hit at 104.1 MPH. He also has a walk.

 

[saddles]

Teodo is in to pitch the 9th inning and attempt to get a save.

 

[saddles]

Teodo is in to pitch the 9th inning and attempt to get a save.

He got the save striking out one and walking one. He reached 99.6 MPH.

 

[saddles]

I see where Yu Darvish has a son, Shoei Darvish who is a high school pitcher. He is a senior this year and he is a pitcher. He is working with Tread Athletics. I am looking forward to seeing how he gets ranked as far as a potential draft pick.

 

[saddles]

From Jamey Newberg:

And all the taken strikes.

I spent the entire second half plus overtime of the September 28 Cowboys-Packers game, which was played just after the Rangers were walked off by Cleveland in Game 162, looking at the called-strike totals in every one of the games Texas played this year. (Because I’m crazy, and because I love you guys.) Here’s what I found:

• The Rangers took the most strikes in 12 more games than the opponent did. When taking more strikes than the other team, they were two games under .500; when taking fewer, they were four games over. (There were 10 games with equal called strikes.)
• They took increasingly more strikes virtually every month of the season — and check out the final two months in particular:
  • March (granted, just five games): 16.6 strikes taken per game
  • April: 20.4
  • May: 22.1
  • June: 22.5
  • July: 21.8
  • August: 24.6
  • September: 27.1
• And lest you think that maybe teams all around the league just start taking more pitches as the season goes on, here’s how the trend worked in Rangers games alone — basically opposite directions:
  • March: Opponents took 3.8 more strikes per game
  • April: Opponents took 3.6 more strikes per game
  • May: Texas took 0.4 more strikes per game
  • June: Opponents took 0.9 more strikes per game
  • July: Texas took 0.1 more strikes per game
  • August: Texas took 2.5 more strikes per game
  • September: Texas took 2.9 more strikes per game

 

[Senator_fan]

I see where Yu Darvish has a son, Shoei Darvish who is a high school pitcher. He is a senior this year and he is a pitcher. He is working with Tread Athletics. I am looking forward to seeing how he gets ranked as far as a potential draft pick.

Here’s someone to watch too:

Striker Pence is a 16-year-old, 6'6" high school sophomore baseball pitcher from Corona, California, who is the nephew of former MLB player Hunter Pence. He has gained significant attention for his fastball velocity, having consistently hit 100 mph, and he also possesses a strong slider. As a 2028 prospect, he has showcased his talent against older competition at events like the Perfect Game Underclass All-American Games.

He also has a 2600 RPM slider.

 

[saddles]

Here’s someone to watch too:

Striker Pence is a 16-year-old, 6'6" high school sophomore baseball pitcher from Corona, California, who is the nephew of former MLB player Hunter Pence. He has gained significant attention for his fastball velocity, having consistently hit 100 mph, and he also possesses a strong slider. As a 2028 prospect, he has showcased his talent against older competition at events like the Perfect Game Underclass All-American Games.

He also has a 2600 RPM slider.

Yeah, I mentioned him back in August. Here is the quote I gave from Baseball America.

Striker Pence SAT at 100 mph during an inning at Area Code games

For many scouts in attendance, he's the hardest-throwing 16-year-old they’ve ever seen.

Freakish arm talent

 

[scotsman#1948]

Agree. I want our #2 catcher to be elite defensively
Heim is done

and then we need to still need to add al least 2 offensive bats maybe 3

 

[Kelleyman]

and then we need to still need to add al least 2 offensive bats maybe 3

Have to think they are buying a catcher and pitchers. Not so much other offense theu can fill from within

 

[Duane1952]

The evil empire is out of the playoffs.