Texas Rangers 2025 Spring Training Thread

[Uncle Siggy]

I had issues with the link so copied this from web site. The term “rheumatologic disorder” is what came up on the Yale medical site

Overview​

Most Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. While this type of pain can sometimes be temporary, it can also be caused by chronic spinal problems that can lead to disability and reduced quality of life.
These problems can be caused by wear and tear on the joints (degenerative disorders) or inflammation from an autoimmune response in the body (rheumatologic disorders).

Sounds like he's always going to be a question mark as to his availability/ability to play going forward...

 

[Billybass]

I hope I am wrong. He’s such a great young man, and an incredible athlete.

 

[saddles]

Congratulations to the Seager's! They are expecting their first baby!

 

[fanman8825]

I have stated that I am concerned

From Joel Sherman:

Sources: The Rangers have placed Dane Dunning on outright waivers. Any team can claim him and assume his $2.66M salary for 2025. If he is not claimed on waivers, Texas can outright him to the minors.

It seemed like he lost even more velocity when I saw him pitch last year. He didn’t look good this spring so I am not surprised the Rangers waived him.
I appreciate his contributions 2 years ago toward the teams championship.

 

[saddles]

I guess the release of Dunning shows that a team can indeed have too much pitching.

 

[saddles]

From Jamey Newberg:

Here are the mechanics of what happens now:

Dunning is on outright waivers for 48 hours. During that time, he remains a Ranger and could even pitch in tomorrow night’s exhibition game at Globe Life Field.

If another MLB team or teams claim Dunning in that time, the one that makes the prevailing claim (based on the reverse order of last season’s winning percentages) takes on his $2.66 million salary.

If no other team claims him, Texas has the right to send Dunning outright to the minor leagues if it chooses to. He wouldn’t have the right to reject the assignment and opt for free agency, because (1) he’s never been outrighted before and (2) he is short of five years of MLB service time. (Either bullet point would have allowed him to reject.)

But here’s the other thing: Given Dunning’s challenging spring, it seems likely that no team is going to claim that $2.66 million contract, even though he has the option flexibility. And then he can be outrighted to Round Rock and join the Express staff in time for the start of the season, and still go through that effort to get things going again

 

[saddles]

Here are the guys I think will be in the Rangers bullpen to begin the season. This is assuming they don't make a trade. This is based on them wanting 2 long guys in the pen to begin the season.

Jackson
Garcia
Martin
Webb
Armstrong
Milner
Murphy
 Boushley

I do think a trade is a possibility and that would most likely create an opening for Marc Church. Of the guys signed in the iffseason, you would think either Milner or Armstrong would be the leading possibilities to be traded.

Houser most likely will be in AAA waiting for an opportunity. Robby Ahlstrom will most likely be a guy to bring up early on should he be needed.

If I am understanding correctly both Barlow and Chargois will be at AAA.

I think they still think highly of both Latz and Robert and we could see one or both of them up here at some point.

Jamet Newberg brought up the possibility of the Dunning money being used on David Robertson, should Dunning be claimed. If Dunning isn't claimed he could get straightened out pitching for Round Rock, and come back up to pitch for the Rangers in a few weeks.

 

[saddles]

I wonder if the Rangers would consider letting Marc Church try his hand at pitching in long relief, to fill a need, at least to begin the season?

 

[saddles]

In a roundabout way, did Evan Carter's struggles help cost Dane Dunning a 40-man roster spot? Did they feel they couldn't trade Taveras due to Evan's struggles, and thereby make room by removing Dunning, instead?

 

[Kelleyman]

In a roundabout way, did Evan Carter's struggles help cost Dane Dunning a 40-man roster spot? Did they feel they couldn't trade Taveras due to Evan's struggles, and thereby make room by removing Dunning, instead?

I have my doubts they were ever too committed to trade Leody. But his time is short with Osuna in the wings as well

 

[Kelleyman]

Here are the guys I think will be in the Rangers bullpen to begin the season. This is assuming they don't make a trade. This is based on them wanting 2 long guys in the pen to begin the season.

Jackson
Garcia
Martin
Webb
Armstrong
Milner
Murphy
 Boushley

I do think a trade is a possibility and that would most likely create an opening for Marc Church. Of the guys signed in the iffseason, you would think either Milner or Armstrong would be the leading possibilities to be traded.

Houser most likely will be in AAA waiting for an opportunity. Robby Ahlstrom will most likely be a guy to bring up early on should he be needed.

If I am understanding correctly both Barlow and Chargois will be at AAA.

I think they still think highly of both Latz and Robert and we could see one or both of them up here at some point.

Jamet Newberg brought up the possibility of the Dunning money being used on David Robertson, should Dunning be claimed. If Dunning isn't claimed he could get straightened out pitching for Round Rock, and come back up to pitch for the Rangers in a few weeks.

Besides Garcia who has options in this group of relievers?

 

[saddles]

From Scott Lucas:

I’m not optimistic about a pure claim, even though he has an option, but perhaps the Rangers can finesse a trade that saves a portion of his salary. My understanding, per Article VI. E. (3)*, of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, is that Dunning is due his full salary because he and the Rangers reached an agreement prior to an arbitration hearing. Also, for tax purposes, per XXIII. C. (2) (b) (iii) (f), “Any Uniform Player’s Contract that is assigned outright to a Minor League club shall be included in the Club’s Actual Club Payroll.”

 

[saddles]

I have my doubts they were ever too committed to trade Leody. But his time is short with Osuna in the wings as well

I think if Carter had played well with Pillar doing well, Leody would have been gone, as there would have been no reason for him to be here. Carter struggling may have saved Leody's spot on this team. There was just going to be bo playing time for Leody even with a straight platoon of Crter and Pillar. Evan just needed to hit well against righties.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I wonder if the Rangers would consider letting Marc Church try his hand at pitching in long relief, to fill a need, at least to begin the season?

I would like to see Church on the roster as a reliever period, long or short.

 

[Billybass]

Church has a lot of talent…but he walks a lot of guys.
Lieter also.

 

[saddles]

From The Athletic writers picks:

AL MVP vote totals: Bobby Witt Jr. 18, Aaron Judge 5, Gunnar Henderson 3, Corey Seager 2, Julio Rodríguez 2, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1, José Ramírez 1, Isaac Paredes 1.

AL Cy Young Award vote totals: Garrett Crochet 10, Logan Gilbert 8, Tarik Skubal 8, Cole Ragans 3, Max Fried 1, Shane McClanahan 1, Bailey Ober 1, Hunter Brown 1.

AL ROY vote totals: Jackson Jobe 14, Kristian Campbell 6, Jasson Domínguez 3, Kumar Rocker 3, Jacob Wilson 3, Marcelo Mayer 1, Roman Anthony 1, Carson Williams 1, Jack Leiter 1.

AL pennant vote totals: Rangers 11, Red Sox 9, Orioles 6, Yankees 3, Royals 2, Mariners 1, Astros 1.

World Series winner vote totals: Dodgers 14, Red Sox 4, Braves 3, Phillies 3, Diamondbacks 2, Mets 2, Yankees 1, Orioles 1, Rangers 1, Mariners 1, Padres 1.

 

[Kelleyman]

From The Athletic writers picks:

AL MVP vote totals: Bobby Witt Jr. 18, Aaron Judge 5, Gunnar Henderson 3, Corey Seager 2, Julio Rodríguez 2, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1, José Ramírez 1, Isaac Paredes 1.

AL Cy Young Award vote totals: Garrett Crochet 10, Logan Gilbert 8, Tarik Skubal 8, Cole Ragans 3, Max Fried 1, Shane McClanahan 1, Bailey Ober 1, Hunter Brown 1.

AL ROY vote totals: Jackson Jobe 14, Kristian Campbell 6, Jasson Domínguez 3, Kumar Rocker 3, Jacob Wilson 3, Marcelo Mayer 1, Roman Anthony 1, Carson Williams 1, Jack Leiter 1.

AL pennant vote totals: Rangers 11, Red Sox 9, Orioles 6, Yankees 3, Royals 2, Mariners 1, Astros 1.

World Series winner vote totals: Dodgers 14, Red Sox 4, Braves 3, Phillies 3, Diamondbacks 2, Mets 2, Yankees 1, Orioles 1, Rangers 1, Mariners 1, Padres 1.

1. Pareses???
Astros homer in this poll

2 practically zero faith in the American League

Most think Rangers are favorited for AL pennant but the homers tied them with one vote. SML


Conclusion

A lot of bias in this poll

 

[saddles]

Tepid gives a less-than-inspiring report on what he observed in spring training:

Gut instinct/first call: the Rangers farm isn’t at its best right now. There are patches of strength and players we’ll all be very curious about of course, but in the nearly 20(!-YIKES!) years I’ve been watching the minors closely, this isn’t the best I’ve seen the system. Not the worst, let’s be clear- but not the best. On the pitching side, there are lots of guys throwing 92-93 and on the hitting side, there are lots of guys still trying to turn tools into skills. My mindset, having let it all settle a bit over the last couple days, is to approach this season with patience. If forced to make a prediction, I’d guess 2025 will be a season where we see some quick glimpses of future role 5/6 players, but it could also be a season where we spend days on end observing relatively pedestrian box scores. This season could end up being one where a network of tireless and invaluable scouting pals becomes even MORE important, because scouting the stat lines in 2025 might be a bit of a fool’s errand. All that said, EVERY year, someone jumps the barrier. Some player, some dude, is gonna exceed expectations and leap into our prospect consciousness. And that, my friends, is why we watch.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Tepid gives a less-than-inspiring report on what he observed in spring training:

Gut instinct/first call: the Rangers farm isn’t at its best right now. There are patches of strength and players we’ll all be very curious about of course, but in the nearly 20(!-YIKES!) years I’ve been watching the minors closely, this isn’t the best I’ve seen the system. Not the worst, let’s be clear- but not the best. On the pitching side, there are lots of guys throwing 92-93 and on the hitting side, there are lots of guys still trying to turn tools into skills. My mindset, having let it all settle a bit over the last couple days, is to approach this season with patience. If forced to make a prediction, I’d guess 2025 will be a season where we see some quick glimpses of future role 5/6 players, but it could also be a season where we spend days on end observing relatively pedestrian box scores. This season could end up being one where a network of tireless and invaluable scouting pals becomes even MORE important, because scouting the stat lines in 2025 might be a bit of a fool’s errand. All that said, EVERY year, someone jumps the barrier. Some player, some dude, is gonna exceed expectations and leap into our prospect consciousness. And that, my friends, is why we watch.

I will take that with a grain of salt.

 

[saddles]

I posted a 2025 season prediction thread. Please go there and make a few predictions. Let's see what everyone thinks.