Rangers Reload: Offseason Moves Position Texas for AL West Title and Another World Series Run
The Texas Rangers had a disappointing 2024 season to say the least. After winning their first World Series in franchise history in 2023, the injury riddled Rangers finished third in the American League West with a 78-84 record. Expectations were high with few changes to the 2023 roster, and young talent joining the team.
The dynamic outfield duo of 23 year old Wyatt Langford and 22 year old Evan Carter were seen as front runners for American League rookie of the year going into the season. Carter was a key contributor to the 2023 World Series team, while Langford was the fourth overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft. Langford flew through the minor leagues; earning himself a spot on the big club with less than a year of professional experience.
Carter got off to a slow start in 2024 with a .188 batting average and five home runs. A back injury that was initially supposed to sideline him for four to six weeks, ultimately ended his season just 45 games into the season.
The Rangers were expected to have a slow 2023 offseason due to the belief that their roster was already good enough to compete for a world series. The only notable moves that they made were for relief pitchers Kirby Yates, and Davis Roberston who both had career years. Despite Robertson and Yates high level of production, The injuries proved too much for Texas to overcome.
The 2024 offseason has proven to be much more productive for the Rangers. They look to capitalize on the division rival Houston Astros losing major pieces in third baseman Alex Bregman, and outfielder Kyle Tucker. Texas sees this as a golden opportunity to take over the division for the foreseeable future.
Texas was active early on when they made a surprising move to sign catcher Kyle Higashioka to a two year 13.5 million dollar deal to pair with 2023 all star Jonah Heim behind the plate. Catcher was a weak point last year as Heim's numbers took a dip. The team hopes to split time between Heim and Higashioka to keep both players fresh.
General Manager Chris Young made it known that resigning Right handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was priority number one this offseason. Eovaldi was a pivotal piece in the 2023 World Series run as he tied a major league record with five wins as a starter in one playoff run. He showed mutual interest to rejoin the club for the 2025 season and beyond.
The two sides were able to negotiate a three year 75 million dollar deal for Eovaldi to return to the Rangers. Eovaldi has received praise from teammates and coaches on his ability to mentor younger pitchers. The team hopes that he can continue to be a mentor to up and coming pitchers such as top prospect Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter.
Texas made one of the more surprising moves of the offseason by trading for power hitting 3B/1B Jake Burger. Burger will be a key addition to a lineup that struggled to hit left handed pitchers last year. Burger has excelled throughout his career at hitting left handed pitching.
With the addition of Burger, the writing was on the wall for first baseman Nathaniel Lowe's time with the team to come to an end. Texas traded Lowe to the Washington Nationals for right handed pitcher Robert Garcia. The team hopes that Garcia will add depth to a Texas
bullpen that has struggled in recent years. The 28 year old pitcher has shown potential, but is unproven at the big league level with just under 100 career innings under his belt. Nate Lowe was one of the few left handed bats on the team, so they went out and signed Joc Pederson to a 2 year 37 million dollar deal. Pederson will bring a left handed power bat to pair with Corey Seager in the middle of the lineup. Seager and Pederson won a ring together with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020. Rangers fans hope that they can find that magic again in Arlington.
Chris Young made it a point of emphasis to bolster the bullpen this offseason. Along with Garcia, the Rangers added Shawn Armstrong, Adrian Houser, Hoby Milner, and Jacob Webb. Although they have already made all those acquisitions, Chris Young has made it known to the media that the teams top priority going into the end of the offseason is to bring back all MLB closer Kirby Yates.
Texas looks to finish off a strong offseason by rounding out the bullpen, and adding depth to the pitching staff. This offseason paired with an already talented roster has put them in a great position to compete for the American League West, and the franchise's second championship.
Mason Garcia
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