9 Rangers Who Won't Return for a Repeat World Series Run in 2024

The Texas Rangers should do everything in their power to run it back to the 2024 World Series, but that doesn't mean that every player on the roster will be back next season.

By Devon Platana | Nov 2, 2023, 9:57 AM EDT

Andrew Heaney is one of nine Texas Rangers players who won't return for the 2024 MLB season. / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

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6. Ian Kennedy

Once upon a time, Ian Kennedy looked poised to become one of the MLB's top arms. A 2011 campaign that saw him finish fourth and 14th in AL Cy Young and MVP voting, respectively, was just too impressive to ignore — especially at the age of 26.

But that was as high as Kennedy's career got. He struggled to find a spot in every rotation he joined, changing teams six times since first leaving the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013.

After being a Ranger back in 2021, Kennedy made his way back to Texas when he signed a minor-league contract in January. Things didn't go as planned for the start-turned-reliever, going 0-1 with a 7.16 ERA across 16 relief appearances before a rotator cuff strain ended his season in September.

Now a free agent, I don't see the Rangers taking another shot on the 38-year-old. Kennedy is who he is at this point and does very little to contribute to a winning culture. With his career likely wrapping up soon (maybe as early as this winter), there's no reason why he should be back in 2024.

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