Rangers Tied to 7 Top Free Agents in Jon Heyman’s Offseason Landing spot Predictions
On September 4th Jon Heyman posted an article on the New York Post about predicting landing spots for the top 25 free agents this winter. The Rangers came up seven times throughout the article. I'm going to name all of the free agents he mentions as fit for the Rangers and give my opinion on them.
Bo Bichette, Jays (SS)- I'm curious to why Jon Heyman thinks the Rangers could be a landing spot for Bo. I don't see the fit at all personally. He isn't playing shortstop over Corey Seager, and I don't think he would play second base over Marcus. Bo is not a good fielder what so ever, he has a -13 OAA, a -13 DRS, and a FRV of -10 which is pretty bad. Marcus and Corey are miles better defensively. You could easily make a case for his bat because frankly he has been great this year offensively. He is hitting .311 with a .840 OPS, and has a 132 WRC+. Personally I see him going back to the Blue Jays, he has expressed that he wants to stay with Vladimir Guerrero Jr who signed a 14 year 500 million dollar extension this season.
Framber Valdez, Astros (SP)- Yes, he did list the Rangers as possible landing spot for Framber. Rangers fans know how good this guy can be, and I'll admit he is good pitcher. I get why Heyman put us in there because we will go after some starting pitchers this winter, but I don't see the Rangers signing him. I don't see Chris Young signing him because his emotions can get to him at times, and especially when he crossed up César Salazar. Which is another rant that I can save for another day, I have many reasons why that was a terrible look for him. In fact I hope he isn't in a Rangers crossing up a catcher is a BIG no no for me.
Pete Alonso, Mets (1B, if he opts out)- I could see why we could be a landing spot for Pete, but I don't think the Rangers necessarily need him. Jake Burger in the second half of the season has been solid for the Rangers when he has been healthy. On top of that Pete Alonso won't be cheap, and Burger will be much cheaper. I would like Alonso's bat for sure but I just don't see where he fits, and we have other positions that are more of a priority to be upgraded and we need to focus on those.
Ranger Suarez, Phillies (SP)- Heyman put the Rangers as a "poetic choice" but I can see the fit a little bit, his name makes it even better. Ranger Suarez has had a good year this year going into his contract year, and the Rangers could be looking to add a left-handed starter with Cody Bradford being out possibly all year. Ranger is not a big strikeout guy he does get a lot of ground balls which is good because the Rangers are one of the best teams defensively. He doesn't walk a ton of hitters and doesn't get hit very hard either. I wouldn't mind landing Ranger Suarez at all and slot him at the 3 or 4 spot in the rotation.
Dylan Cease, Padres (SP)- Cease will turn 30 years old this winter. He has a had kind of a weird 2025 season. His ERA is high at a 4.71 ERA, but his FIP is at a 3.67 and his advanced numbers are mostly good. He gets good swing and miss. However, walks are an issue for him in his career. This is a fit I see really well. The Rangers were interested in Cease at the 2023 trade deadline, in the offseason of 2024, as well as this year's trade deadline. I wouldn't mind adding Dylan Cease into this rotation to pair with Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. I have a feeling we will sign Cease or be a finalist in his sweepstakes this winter.
Eugenio Suarez, Mariners (3B)- Again I could see why the Rangers could be a "landing spot", but I just don't think we need to go after Suarez third base is a priority this winter. Josh Jung has been disappointing this season but has been good defensively this year and has been good in the box in his last 15 games. Suarez had a crazy good first half of the season for the Diamondbacks where he hit 36 home runs, and then was traded to Seattle at the trade deadline. Since being traded to Seattle Suarez has cooled off big time he is hitting .206 with the Mariners. Suarez also doesn't walk much and he strikes out a lot, the Rangers don't need any more of that. I also don't think the Rangers are quite ready to give up on Josh Jung yet.
Josh Naylor, Mariners (1B)- Similar to Pete Alonso I don't think that first base is a top priority for the Rangers. I do like Josh Naylor's bat more than Eugenio Suarez, and I feel like the Rangers would more gravitate more towards Naylor. He does a little better of controlling the strike zone and walks a little bit more, and he hits for a better average. Naylor is hitting .282 on the season with a .793 OPS, and a 120 WRC+. However, I don't think the Rangers really need a first baseman because Jake Burger has been solid for the Rangers. Naylor would cost the same as Nathaniel Lowe if not more than him (the Rangers traded Lowe last winter who was getting around 10 million in arbitration). I would rather them invest their money into positions they need rather than a position that they really aren't in need of.
Overall I do agree with two of the names Heyman brought up as landing spots for the Rangers. I really don't agree with the other five names he mentioned for the Rangers, but who knows maybe the Rangers do target those guys and I am completely wrong which I will own up to if I am. It will defiantly be an interesting offseason for Chris Young to navigate.
