Expect more free agent activity from Texas Rangers – much more
By Reid Hanson
After signing Marcus Semien, Jon Gray, and Kole Calhoun on Sunday, the Texas Rangers are suddenly the most active team in free agency. Despite residing in a top-5 market, the Texas Rangers are also among the bottom in MLB payroll. But after spending roughly $236 million this weekend alone, that cellar status is changing quite quickly.
Good thing too. The Texas Rangers are a decade removed from their glory days and with seats to sell in their new stadium and 102 losses working against them, big signings are needed to build excitement around this club again.
The Texas Rangers are still expected to be extremely active in the pursuit of multiple high profile free agents this winter.
With the current CBA expiring this week, all signings will be paused until a new bargaining agreement is agreed upon. Whether the Rangers dive back in before or after this little “winter hiatus” is unknown, what is known is the Rangers are far from finished.
The Rangers aren't done. Even though they got Marcus Semien, they're still in the Trevor Story sweepstakes. They went into this winter with money to spend, they got a whole lot better with Semien and now they're targeting more offense as well as starting pitching.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 28, 2021
The Texas Rangers are still in the hunt for another middle infielder. Semien’s ability to play SS and 2B gives them flexibility, but if they can add Texas native Trevor Story, they will complete one of the biggest offseasons in franchise history.
Not that even Trevor Story would mark an end to the spending. The Rangers are still in the market for a starting pitcher. Jon Gray is a good addition, (and as the only veteran pitcher – a needed addition) but Clayton Kershaw is very much in the mix.
The Texas Rangers remain interested in Kershaw and based on logistics alone, Kershaw is interested in the Rangers. Like the others – Kersh won’t come cheap but he’ll elevate the staff and sell a ton of tickets in the process. See also:
Related Story. Why Clayton Kershaw makes sense for the Rangers. light
As if another elite pitcher and another elite middle infielder aren’t enough, we have reason to believe the Texas Rangers are still in the Seiya Suzuki discussion as well. The Hiroshima Carp outfielder has been posted and looks to make his MLB debut next season. The 27-year-old Japanese star has a career line of .309/.402/.542 with an OPS of .943.
Keep in mind, Kole Calhoun is veteran one-year rental for the Rangers. Suzuki is the long-term solution the Rangers should pursue. With 38 home runs last year and high-end athleticism around the bases and in the field (four Gold Gloves), he’s exactly the guy the Rangers need to build their outfield around.
He’s also become a more disciplined hitter, getting 262 walks over the past three seasons, compared to 240 strikeouts. The trick is obviously luring someone like Suzuki to north Texas. Chances are the Rangers will have to significantly outbid the more attractive west coast clubs.
Regardless of the odds of Texas signing Kershaw, Story, and/or Suzuki, they are very much interested and very much in the discussion. The Texas Rangers have been extremely active in free agency this weekend but this may be just the warm up.
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The best may be yet to come…
- Published on 11/29/2021 at 17:01 PM
- Last updated at 11/29/2021 at 14:16 PM