2024-25 MLB Offseason Recap: Texas Rangers

The Rangers went into the 2024 season as defending World Series champions. However, it ended without a playoff birth, as injuries derailed both their rotation and lineup. Texas had to fill out much of their bullpen with fresh faces — and did that with effectiveness. Plus, the Rangers picked up two premier power bats.

Notable Additions

• RP Shawn Armstrong (-0.3 bWAR in 2024)
• 1B/3B Jake Burger (0.5 bWAR)
• RP Robert Garcia (-0.2 bWAR)
• RP Luke Jackson (-0.4 bWAR)
• C Kyle Higashioka (1.4 bWAR)
• RP Chris Martin (0.2 bWAR)
• RP Hoby Milner (-0.6 bWAR)
• OF/DH Joc Pederson (2.9 bWAR)
• RP Jacob Webb (0.9 bWAR)

The Rangers made wholesale changes to their bullpen, made necessary given the losses (I’ll get into that in a second). Texas added six notable relievers to their bullpen, highlighted by standout ex-National Robert Garcia, former Rangers draft pick Luke Jackson, and ex-Ranger Chris Martin.

While the Rangers didn’t add a closer with significant ninth-inning experience, what Texas did was add relievers who could give teams different looks. Garcia comes from a low 3/4 slot with crossfire action, while Milner has a submarine delivery that makes him extremely deceptive.

As far as how Bruce Bochy wants to approach the later innings, he has options.

As for the offense, the Rangers finished in the bottom half of the league in runs scored in 2024 despite a roster that came through in spades a year earlier. Texas added additional support this winter.

Kyle Higashioka set a career-high in home runs (17), buoyed somewhat by recommendations by Giancarlo Stanton to close himself off more. Higashioka will tandem with Jonah Heim, who posted a .602 OPS last season.

Jake Burger was acquired from Miami, giving the Rangers a bonafide 30-home run hitter with plus pop. And, the Rangers addressed their hole at the DH slot with Joc Pederson. Pederson, over the last three seasons, has excelled in a platoon role against righties. He posted the seventh-best OPS (.923) last season among left-handed bats.

Notable Losses

• SP Andrew Heaney (0.7 bWAR)
• RP Jose Leclerc (0.0 bWAR)
• 1B Nathaniel Lowe (2.7 bWAR)
• RP David Robertson (1.7 bWAR)
• SP Max Scherzer (0.4 bWAR)
• RP Jose Urena (0.6 bWAR)
• RP Kirby Yates (3.3 bWAR)

The two most notable losses, arguably, were Nathaniel Lowe and Kirby Yates.

With Jake Burger now in Texas, Lowe became expendable. The Rangers traded him to the National League, as he was sent to the Nationals to get Robert Garcia.

Yates, meanwhile, soared as the Rangers’ closer last season. However, the veteran right-hander joined the World Series champions this winter.

He was one of several relievers to leave the Rangers this offseason. Jose Leclerc, a lifelong Ranger, joined the Athletics. David Robertson struck out 99 over 72 frames last season. However, Robertson didn’t re-sign and as of Opening Day, remained a free agent.

Max Scherzer, who made nine starts in 2024, signed with the Blue Jays.

What to Expect in 2025

It’s hard not to be excited about the Rangers. Texas has a deeper lineup. If Wyatt Langford, who posted a .966 OPS in September, can sustain that level over a six-month season, Texas could be back as one of the premier offenses in 2025.

However, the key for 2025 will be the rotation. Jacob deGrom is healthy — but will be come September? What about Tyler Mahle? What about Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter, two rookies who made the Rangers’ roster?

But as far as potential goes, Texas has World Series potential, not shocking given the Rangers won it all two years ago.