The Texas Rangers had a huge offseason last year spending over $500 million. They were disappointed with the outcome of their season this year, however, they set themselves up for the upcoming years and look to do more damage this offseason. The first thing the Rangers did this offseason was hiring three-time World Series winning manager Bruce Bochy. A wise, experienced manager might be just the thing this young team is looking for. 

Pitching will be the main focus for the organization this year. Starting off right where they left off the last offseason, the Rangers signed 2-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob DeGrom to a 5-year-$185 million deal which includes an option for the 2028 season that would be another $37 million.  DeGrom is a generational talent who is seen by most as the best current pitcher in baseball when healthy. The downside of this deal is that DeGrom is prone to injury. In the past three seasons with the Mets, DeGrom missed about half of the season. DeGrom will help substantially on and off the field. Having a great veteran mind in the clubhouse with the young prospects is huge in the game of baseball. Baseball is a mentally challenging game and having a trusty mentor helps young players transition into the MLB. Most of the game’s greats have looked up to someone to guide them and help them blossom into the players they become.

Rangers All-Star Martin Perez finished fifth among qualified American League pitchers in innings pitched and eighth in ERA (earned run average). He accepted a qualifying offer from the Rangers for 1 year-$19.65 million. A well-deserved upgrade from $4 million in 2022. They will look to add a few more pieces for their rotation as free agency continues.

The Rangers have a good young offense. Their lineup features studs like Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Nate Lowe, Adolis Garcia, and more. Last offseason, the Rangers spent half a million dollars on their middle infield made up of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien last offseason. They signed Seager for 10-years-$325 million after having a season full of injuries in 2021. However, in the 95 games he did play that season, he did great. He hit for a .306 batting average and had 16 home runs. This season, we got to see Seager have a full, healthy season. He finished with a .245 batting average and 33 home runs. Is that worth $325 million? I guess we will have to wait and see how the next 9 years go to answer that question. In last year’s offseason also, the Rangers picked up Semien for 7-years-$175 million, which seemed like a great deal. After earning his second third-place MVP voting, Semien looked to impress the hometown fans in his new uniform. That is not exactly how it worked, as boos came crashing down on him after finishing the second month of the season batting .199. Every good player has slumps, it’s the great ones that can bounce back from them, as he did. He finished batting .248 and 26 bombs. 

Besides those two guys that will be in the middle of their lineup for years to come, the Rangers have great, young developing stars. Center fielder Adolis Garcia finished 4th in Rookie of the Year voting back in 2021. He is the perfect mixture between gold glove defense, power hitting, and speed. Although being more prone to strikeout, with a 28% strikeout percentage, he does have light tower power and finished with 27 home runs in 2022. First baseman Nate Lowe had a breakout year in 2022 finishing with a personal high .302 batting average. He improved his batting average by 38 points since 2021. He is a great young, lefty bat that can help this lineup immensely through the years to come. 

Having the sixth best farm system in baseball, ranked on mlb.com, the Rangers are excited to have some of their prospects join them in the show this year. Third baseman Josh Jung will get his first full season of MLB baseball this year. He was called up in September and only caught the tail end of the season. Jung is a great pure hitter that hit for a .311 batting average during his time in the minor leagues. We could see MLB’s 48th prospect Jack Leiter, son of former All Star pitcher Al Leiter, make his MLB debut in 2023. Jack Leiter spent his first professional season in double A, posting 5.54 ERA (Earned Run Average.) Although he struggled, he has promising stuff and will definitely be a crucial spot in the Rangers rotation in the future. 

The Rangers have a promising young squad that people should keep their eyes on. With a couple of more big moves this offseason, this team could be competing for a championship come October. In 2010 and 2011, fans got a taste of the World Series, this time they want to take home their first win. Don’t be surprised if this team sneaks its way to the Fall Classic in the years to come!

Next Up: Part 3-The Los Angeles Angels (to come)