Players That The Rangers Could Target This Winter
Chris Young and company will have work to do this offseason to improve the roster and raise its floor. It could be a busy offseason for the Rangers. Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim are likely not going to be on the roster next year, and a number of the current bullpen arms are set to become free agents this winter. Tyler Mahle and Jon Gray will also be free agents this winter, so it looks like the Rangers will need to be active this winter. I feel like the Rangers priorities this winter will be getting a catcher, an outfielder, get a starter or two, get a true closer, and build the rest of the bullpen.
Dylan Cease (SP)- I have a pretty strong feeling that the Rangers will target Dylan Cease. They were interested in trading for him at the 2023 trade deadline, in the offseason going into 2024, and the 2025 trade deadline. Does Chris Young finally make it happen? You might look at Cease’s ERA and question why the Rangers need him, but the underlying numbers suggest he’s a better pitcher than what his ERA shows. Cease is also decently reliable and should get 150 innings or more which the Rangers could definitely use, and he has great swing and miss numbers. His slider and curveball generate a majority of the whiffs he gets. Cease could slot in nicely at the 3 spot in the rotation and will pair great with Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom at the top of the rotation. I see the Rangers signing Dylan Cease or being a finalist in the sweepstakes.
Hoby Milner (RP)- Milner has been one of the better arms for the Rangers this year. Hoby has a 3.63 ERA and a 3.18 FIP. He has a 3.63 ERA and a 3.18 FIP, though his ERA has climbed recently due to a few shaky outings, he has been solid for a majority of the year for the Rangers. As Rangers fans know he will not blow you away at all but the angle his pitches come from and the spin on his pitches makes it difficult for hitters to track or square them up. I think he has a good chance of re-signing with the Rangers being from the DFW area.
Pete Fairbanks (RP)- Former Ranger Pete Fairbanks has been the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays for 3 years and has accumulated 75 saves in those three years including this season so far. The Rangers reportedly contacted the Rays about Fairbanks at the trade deadline. Fairbanks has a club option for next year for 7 million and is set to be a free agent next year. The Rays could either trade Fairbanks or they could decline his club option and then he would become a free agent. This year he has a 2.98 ERA with a 3.66 FIP and has 27 saves so far. I wouldn't mind the Rangers getting Fairbanks at all, one he is a good pitcher and two his interviews are the best.
Shawn Armstrong (RP)- I think it's pretty self explanatory why the Rangers and Rangers fans would want back Shawn Armstrong. He has been elite for the Rangers out of the bullpen this year. In 63.2 innings this year Armstrong has a 2.40 ERA with a 3.08 FIP. I think the Rangers should try to get him back for next as Chris Young builds the bullpen this winter. When Armstrong signed with the Rangers I put out a tweet that said, "Really underrated signing here. If Mike Maddox can fix what was wrong last year, he could be one of the most valuable bullpen arms in the league." Safe to say that he has been very valuable for the Rangers this year and has been one of the better arms in the league.
Kirby Yates (RP)- Could the Rangers go for a reunion with Kirby Yates to fill their closer role? They could and I wouldn't be surprised at all. Yates was one of the best closers in all of baseball in 2024 and had his best season of his career. Kirby signed with the Dodgers in the winter and hasn't pitched a ton due to injuries, and he hasn't had the best season either. The Rangers know what Kirby Yates can bring to the table and he could definitely fill the closer role for the Rangers if he pitches similar to how he did in 2024. Personally, I wouldn’t mind the move, though I would prefer a younger option (Yates is 38).
Hunter Harvey (RP)- The Rangers were reportedly interested in Harvey at the trade deadline. I wonder if they circle back this offseason and sign him in free agency. Harvey hasn't pitched a lot for the Royals this year due to a couple of injuries (a right teres major strain and a right adductor strain), but in the 10.2 innings he has thrown he hasn't given up a run. Harvey probably won't break the bank as well. The only thing that gives me some caution would be the injuries, but other than that I think Harvey has some good stuff and could definitely contribute to this team if they do decide to sign him.
Ryan Helsley (RP)- The Rangers will be on the hunt for a closer this winter and Ryan Helsley could be on their list. They were reportedly interested in acquiring him at the deadline the season, but he went to the mets instead. Mike Maddux is familiar with Helsley, having worked with him in St. Louis. He was with him in St Louis for four years and was with him when Helsley had his best season in 2022. Helsley hasn't had a great season so far, but he can be the kind of closer the Rangers are looking for if he performs well. Helsley's fastball easily gets to 100+ MPH and has a good slider. He can be a very elite closer when he is on.
Ryan O'Hearn (1B/OF)- The Rangers discussed acquiring O'Hearn at the trade deadline this year according to Jon Morosi, but he ended up with the San Diego Padres. O'Hearn has had a great year for the Orioles, he was one of the better bats in the American League and was an all star. On the year O'Hearn is batting .266 with a .777 OPS, and a 119 WRC+. He also played good defense at first base this year and started 20 games in right field. O'Hearn hits right-handed pitching better but has held his own against left-handed pitching when facing it. The Rangers will need some bats this winter so they can improve their offense which hasn't been good since 2023 when the offense carried the team to their first championship in franchise history.
Ryan Jeffers (C)- The Rangers will be in need of another catcher this winter due to Jonah Heim most likely being non-tendered or traded, and the Rangers will be looking to increase offensive production from the catching position. Jeffers could be an option for the Rangers. He currently is under contract with the Minnesota Twins until the end of next season and is on a cheap contract. This year he earned 4.55 million in arbitration from the Twins. He probably wouldn't cost too much. His bat is also decent, he has a 111 WRC+ in 2025. Jeffers could pair decently with Kyle Higashioka. His defense isn't anything special, but Bobby Wilson can work with him to improve his framing.
Danny Coulombe (RP)- The Rangers acquired Coulombe at the trade deadline. Coulombe has been a good arm in his career, he has an average ERA of 3.39 over 11 years. He started the year for the Minnesota Twins and was elite. He hasn't been quite as good for the Rangers in his time with the team, but it is tough to join a new team in the middle of the season and develop relationships with other catchers. Coulombe won't be crazy expensive either. He is a nice arm to have in the bullpen because he’s effective against both right-handed and left-handed hitters.
Cody Bellinger (OF/1B)- He has an opt out after the 2025 season, could opt out after having a good season for the Yankees and seek a longer deal. With Adolis Garcia most likely on his way out, the Rangers will be looking for an outfielder, Bellinger can fill his position and will play good defense. He also has had a good year offensively for the Yankees and at this point would be an upgrade over Adolis Garcia in the batters box.
Robert Suarez (RP)- Suarez has an opt-out after the 2025 season as well, and I could see him opting out after 2 strong years of being the closer from the Padres. According to his contract he is set to make 8 million in 2026, which makes me think that he will opt-out. I think if he tests the open market to where he will get a very good payday. The Rangers will be looking for a closer this winter, and Robert Suarez could be an option for them. In 2025, Suarez has 39 saves at the moment and has a 3.02 ERA with a 2.83 FIP. He also throws high 90s into 100 which the Rangers could definitely use.
Honorable Mentions- Mitch Garver, has a mutual option but I also wonder on him because of his production over the last two seasons.
Edwin Diaz, has an opt out I wonder if he opts out this winter and signs a bigger or longer deal before the lockout next year.
J.T. Realmuto, the Rangers will be looking for a catcher this winter. However, I don't see them going for J.T.
Lastly, Kyle Finnegan could be on the list for the Rangers for closers.
