World Series Champions, Texas Rangers 2023-2024 Offseason Thread

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I read where Acker is eligible for Rule 5, so he should be protected. He is the closest pitcher we have to where Englert was at a year ago.

 

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Jeff Wilson's Thoughts on Rule 5 Protection:

Best bets​

Justin Foscue, IF/DH: This is one of the no-brainers. One of the Rangers’ top-10 prospects, Foscue was the club’s first-round pick in 2020 (14th overall) and has been a steady bat in the minor leagues. He doesn’t necessarily have a position in the majors with Marcus Semien at second and Josh Jung at third. Foscue played some first base this year at Triple A Round Rock and could fill a need at designated hitter.

Antoine Kelly, LHP: What season for the left-hander, who was selected by the Rangers as their top minor-league reliever. A former starter, Kelly found his command and dominated with upper-90s velocity with deception and an effective slider. The Rangers need relief help, and Kelly will get the chance to make the roster out of spring training.

Marc Church, RHP: The right-hander made the most of his first appearance in big-league spring training (Kelly was there, too), and stuck around for a couple weeks after the first wave of minor-leaguers were sent to minor-league camp. Church spent the entire season at Round Rock, where he finished with a 3.63 ERA in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He can work multiple innings with an impressive fastball-slider combination.

Dane Acker, RHP: Injuries have kept Acker from pitching a full minor-league season, but his stuff has big-league starter written all over it. Acquired in the February 2021 trade with the A’s, which also produced Jonah Heim, Acker was treated with kiddie gloves after a spring shoulder injury but was the best starter at Double A Frisco. He posted a 2.54 ERA in 18 starts but only 67 1/3 innings. He struck out 76 and held opponents to a .182 average.

Strong cases​

Blaine Crim, 1B: This isn’t Crim’s first go-round with the Rule 5 draft. He made it through last year and then continued to hit. The career .300 hitter in the minors posted a .289/.385/.506 slash line at Round Rock with 22 home runs and 31 doubles. The first baseman played some third base, but his bat is what will get him to the majors. Crim could be a DH candidate if the Rangers don’t sign a big bat. Crim is playing this winter in the Dominican Republic.

Davis Wendzel, INF: The power Wendzel had been trying to create showed up in 2023 with 30 home runs at Round Rock, but, more importantly, so did the health he hadn’t had since being drafted in 2019. The Rangers believe that Wendzel is a big-league player thanks in part to his defensive versatility and skill at several positions. Like Foscue, Wendzel is blocked at his primary positions.

Justin Slaten, RHP: The native Texan was part of the 2019 draft along with Jung and Wendzel. He was a starter his first few seasons in the minors but emerged this year as a solid reliever. Slaten spent most of the season at Frisco before finishing at Round Rock. He posted a 2.87 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings. The Rangers sent him to the Arizona Fall League, perhaps to gin up some trade interest.

Not yet​

Jose Corniell, RHP: The Rangers selected Corniell as their Minor League Pitcher of the Year after he went 8-3 with a 2.92 ERA across 101 2/3 innings. Those innings, though, were all collected at Low A Down East and High A Hickory, and while teams are sure to like the arm and the stuff, they might not be too pumped about carrying a 20-year-old who hasn’t even reached Double A.

 

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Breaking down this winter's free agents into 5 tiers

The baseball world -- and possibly the sports world -- has never seen a free agent such as Shohei Ohtani. But only one team will enter Spring Training with the presumptive American League Most Valuable Player on its roster, leaving the other 29 looking elsewhere for talent. Below is a

www.mlb.com

 

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From Scott Lucas:

The Texas 40-man roster currently lists 34 players, and that includes Austin Hedges, who is or should be a free agent, plus reliever Matt Bush (arbitration-eligible but surely not receiving an MLB contract) and a small handful of others whose holds on their spots are tenuous. There is no roster crunch. Within reason, the Rangers can add whom they like. The deadline is Tuesday at 5pm CST.

 

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Chris Young on Langford:

“What he did this year was phenomenal,” Young said. “Going from the College World Series to really [being] on the cusp of the big leagues was awesome. There’s no limits on what he can accomplish.”


Since Young considered Langford on the cusp of the big leagues when the season ended, that gives me hope that he has a real chance to be there come Opening Day 2024.

 

[scotsman1948]

Chris Young on Langford:

“What he did this year was phenomenal,” Young said. “Going from the College World Series to really [being] on the cusp of the big leagues was awesome. There’s no limits on what he can accomplish.”


Since Young considered Langford on the cusp of the big leagues when the season ended, that gives me hope that he has a real chance to be there come Opening Day 2024.

Same here

 

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I think the Rangers protect:

Foscue
Kelly
Corniell
Acker
Crim

I would not be surprised to see the following guys removed from the 40 man:

Ornelas
Martinez
Winn
Rodriguez
Martin
Latz
Bush

I think at least 4 or 5 of the above are gone from the 40 at this time tomorrow. Oh, and surely Hedges will be too.

 

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If they have hopes for Leiter in 2024 then maybe we are okay with AAA starting pitcher depth. Just the same, I would like to trade some of our minor league position players for a quality AAA pitcher to serve as depth.

 

[redskinsfan1963]

just saw on twitter and facebook,the rangers are at chicago on espn opening day 2024 against the cubs.

 

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I am looking forward to the Winter Meetings so the Hot Stove can get in full swing.

 

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Of course we have signed some guys prior to the Winter Meetings, before.

 

[scotsman1948]

just saw on twitter and facebook,the rangers are at chicago on espn opening day 2024 against the cubs.

Cubs will be at GLF on Marc 28

 

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Top 25 Offseason Trade Candidates

While the offseason has gotten rolling, trade season hasn't quite arrived. The Tigers acquired Mark Canha from Milwaukee in the biggest …

www.mlbtraderumors.com