Texas Rangers: All-time Top-10 free agent signings

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All-Time Texas Ranger Signing No. 7

Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez strung together 3 of the greatest individual seasons by anyone in team history from 2001-03. But, considering the steroid scandal, the fact the team was no good, the monster money the teamed owed him for years after leaving, and his general unlikeable-ness, yes, we’re slotting him this low.

A-Rod had established himself as one of the best players in the game during his time in Seattle. Over 7 seasons, the shortstop hit .309 while knocking 189 home runs. But after signing with Texas, the world really saw what he could do on a baseball field.

The Rangers, coming off a last place finish, signed Rodriguez to a jaw-dropping 10-year, $252 million deal. At the time, the deal registered as the most lucrative contract in the history of sports. A-Rod would go on to play only 3 years in Texas before being shipped to New York in exchange for Alfonso Soriano and a PTNBL.

It was just 3 seasons, but A-Rod’s stats were otherworldly. In ’01, Rodriguez finished 6th in the AL MVP vote. In ’02, second. In ’03, he finally got his hardware. He lead MLB in home runs each year with 52, 57, and 47 respectively. The 57 bombs in ’02 remains a team record. He posted an OPS over 1.000 in his Ranger career while receiving an all-star bid each year. He collected a trio of Silver Slugger awards and a pair of Gold Gloves during his time in Arlington.

A-Rod was an unbelievable talent and blossomed in a Ranger uniform. But, the team averaged just 72 wins during his 3 seasons. We remember him as a Yankee and that’s okay. Not to mention, the Rangers are still paying the man through 2025. Seriously.