The Texas Rangers had just won their first World Series only hours before.
But someone from the Rangers' front office was calling to check in to see how free agent right-hander Tyler Mahle was doing.
"I'm thinking they should all be hungover right now, like, no one should be awake," Mahle said. "They were the first team to call."
Mahle, who signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Rangers last week, said the Rangers have been on his radar for a while. The club tried to trade for the 29-year-old at the 2022 deadline. Since showing that interest, Mahle viewed Texas as a future landing spot. The club's recent trend of spending big to pursue championships just sealed the deal for Mahle, who is coming off of April Tommy John surgery. He's expected to be available in June or July.
"They’re signing guys and obviously spending money, and it’s obvious they’re trying to win and trying to win now, and they making a big push for it, and then they won," Mahle said of the Rangers' 2023 World Series title. "So I think anyone would be crazy not to want to play for this team that is really good and they know their focus is trying to win the World Series. You have to respect that. It was a good fit."
That early phone call from Texas was just another reminder to Mahle.
"That just shows you they’re hungry, and they want to win, and they want to win right now, and they want to win for a long time," he said. "I think it’s pretty obvious."
Winning was important to Mahle, too. He had two frustrating seasons with the Minnesota Twins while dealing with injuries and being unable to help the club in the postseason. He spent his first five seasons in the majors with the Cincinnati Reds before being traded to the Twins at the deadline in 2022.
"I don’t think I lack motivation," he said. "I’m fortunate enough to be on a team that’s going to make the playoffs and be good for a long time, so I’m positive I’ll have that chance again."
Mahle said his rehab is going well, on schedule, and he's entering his fifth week of throwing from 60 feet.
His deal with the Rangers pays him $5.5 in 2024 and $16.5 in 2025. He had two-year offers from other clubs but chose Texas.
"My goal is to come back this year and hit the ground running," he said. "I wanted to come here. They’ve been interested in me for a long time. I've always been drawn to Texas and Dallas. I like the city."
And he's joining what is arguably the best team in baseball entering 2024.
"That’s what it looks like, right? You already have a team that’s the best in baseball right now, and you have some young guys coming up and a front office that obviously wants to win, going out and getting guys and trying to be better even though they just won the World Series," Mahle said. "They’re not fine with where they’re at."
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