Marcus Semien calls unsuccessful title defense 'wake-up call' for Rangers

In 2023, the Texas Rangers boasted one of the most dominant lineups in the league and slugged their way to the franchise's first World Series title. That season, they finished in the top three in the league in hits, runs, batting average and home runs, proving to be an arduous task for opposing pitchers.

Following their 90-win championship season, the Rangers weren't nearly as successful in their title-defending campaign, going 78-84 and finishing third in the AL West. 

Despite their misfortune last year, All-Star infielder Marcus Semien believes the team can use their failed title defense to motivate themselves for the 2025 season. 

"When you go from the mountaintop to not making the playoffs, it's a wake-up call for all of us," Semien told MLB Network Radio. "I think we are going to do a better job of playing together and playing for each other."

Like most of the Rangers' lineup, Semien had a down year in 2024. After playing all 162 games and collecting the fourth-most hits in the majors in 2023, he finished with a lowly .237 batting average. 

Semien noted that his struggles were partially due to fatigue after playing nearly 200 games (including the playoffs) in 2023. 

"I've always tried to take a little bit of time off and get back in the weight room," Semien said of his offseason approach. "Just making sure that my body can withstand the long season of 162 games and hopefully 15-plus games in the postseason.

"The offseason after we won the World Series, it was a quick turnaround and it broke me down a bit. I still tried to play every game but my performance wasn't up to my standards."

Should the two-time Silver Slugger revert to his usual form, it would go a long way toward helping the Rangers return to the postseason. 

Semien isn't the only Ranger hoping to enjoy a bounce-back season, either, as pitcher Jacob deGrom looks to pioneer the rotation after being sidelined last season with an elbow injury. 

"It's almost like [acquiring] a new pitcher because we missed him for most of the year last year," Semien said of deGrom. "We got a taste of him and his dominance in September."

Even after two Tommy John surgeries, Semien remains confident that deGrom can lead the Rangers' rotation. 

"That second year after Tommy John, [players] are usually better. We've seen that with guys like José Leclerc and others who have gone through the surgery process. Even for Jacob [deGrom], when he had his first surgery and came up as a young player [to become] a multiple Cy Young winner."

deGrom inked a five-year, $185 million pact with the Rangers ahead of the 2023 season. Since then, he has been limited to just nine starts, though he has posted a 2.41 ERA in those 41 innings. 

The Rangers hope to have their ace on the mound more often this season. 

"He's got an electric arm, and he's ready to go and be our leader," said Semien.

Texas will be crossing their fingers for a healthy season for the former Cy Young winner and the rest of the roster. 

If the roster remains intact, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Rangers compete for the division title and make a push for the playoffs.

"I think the thing that's different about this club [compared to last year] is our offense," manager Bruce Bochy said in a radio interview. "I think we're gonna get back to slugging. I think this has the makings of a really good rotation, too.

"We're gonna hit the field with that swagger that we used to."