Monday Rangers rundown: Evan Grant says the club has moved past its big-spender era and is back on the player development grind. Meanwhile, an improved changeup helped Jacob Latz become an unexpected All-Star closer in 2026. 🔧
Rangers' 2027 payroll projects to about $230M per Spotrac, up roughly $15M from 2026's $215M tax figure, before filling any holes. With the Nov. 20 non-tender deadline looming, money could again outweigh baseball logic. 💸
Moving Ezequiel Duran to everyday second base would be a mistake, the argument goes. The Rangers' 2026 MVP is "The Solution" at shortstop, left field and beyond when injuries hit, and Texas has leaned on that versatility three years running. 🔧
Jacob Latz was the bright spot in an underwhelming Rangers bullpen in 2026, posting a 2.13 ERA with 30 saves in 34 chances. His strikeout rate jumped to 30.6%, fueled by heavier four-seamer usage. Unlikely closer, very real breakout. 🔒
Athletics are expected to decline Jeff McNeil's $15.75M option, and the Rangers could pursue him as a Justin Foscue platoon partner. Foscue hit .324/.395/.586 vs. lefties but .175/.212/.300 vs. righties. McNeil hit .310/.342/.451 after the break. 🔄
Rangers missed the playoffs by one game after a 6-4 loss to the Twins on the final day. Key offseason questions: rebuilding a bullpen losing Junis, Williams, Beeks and Alexander, and whether Rocker (4.38 ERA) and Leiter (5.29) can solidify the rotation. 🔧
Rangers could reportedly be interested if the Brewers trade catcher William Contreras this offseason, but it's speculation. He's hitting .394/.487/.697 with three homers through Game 1 of the World Series. The headline warns that chasing postseason heat could be a trap. 🎯
Rangers morning notes: Kennedi Landry flags a trio of Rangers as "developmental wins" after strong 2026 campaigns. The rest of the roundup is World Series and league-wide chatter, so the Rangers' player development is the takeaway. 📈
Rangers' 2026 draft class is drawing praise, and three college picks could jump quickly in 2027. Fourth-rounder Hudson Calhoun, an Ole Miss righty, leads the list: mid-90s fastball touching 98, five-pitch mix, big-league frame. 🎯
Rangers have reportedly started putting Sebastian Walcott through outfield drills after Skip Schumaker and Ross Fenstermaker visited him in the Arizona Fall League. If center field sticks, Evan Carter's starting job could be in trouble. 🎯
Rangers morning notes: Jeff Wilson argues Ezequiel Duran is best kept in his super-utility role into next season, and 2023 champion Mitch Garver has announced his retirement. Ex-Rangers execs Jon Daniels and Thad Levine are also in the World Series. 🧢
Sebastian Walcott, the Rangers' 20-year-old shortstop prospect, is healthy again in the AFL after elbow surgery. He hit 10 homers with a .325/.401/.590 line at Double-A Frisco, and some evaluators call him possibly baseball's best prospect. ⚾
Speculative offseason idea: the Rangers could target World Series free agents like Brewers 1B Jake Bauers (26 HR, 86 RBI, .266) and reliever JoJo Romero. Bauers would challenge Jake Burger, who hit .228 in 2026. 🎯
Rangers scouts have reportedly watched Hanshin's Teruaki Sato, who will be posted this offseason. His past right-field time (102 games in 2021, 115 in 2022) could ease the third-base logjam of Jung and Walcott, and perhaps push Nimmo to DH. 🔍
Mitch Garver, 35, is retiring after 10 MLB seasons. The catcher/DH helped the Rangers win their first World Series title in 2023 after coming over from Minnesota in 2022, and finished with 110 homers and a .229/.325/.432 line. 🏆
Rangers top prospect Sebastian Walcott is getting outfield drills with player development director Josh Bonifay while he logs extra Arizona Fall League at-bats. He's only played short and third in the minors, so this adds a new route to Texas. 🌱
Former Rangers catcher Mitch Garver has reportedly retired after 10 MLB seasons. He hit .270/.370/.500 with 19 homers in 87 games in 2023, plus an ALDS grand slam and a World Series Game 5 go-ahead single. Trade paid off. 🫡
A Pirates-site pitch floats Josh Jung as a possible third base fix in Pittsburgh. The argument is that Nick Gonzales' glove (-11 OAA) is a problem, and Brandon Lowe's free agency adds pressure. Just a proposed fit, not a reported deal. 🤔
Rangers' 2026 missed the postseason by one game, but Jacob Latz, Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue became key contributors late. Chris Young calls it a developmental win: homegrown players bouncing back at the MLB level. Latz even made the All-Star team as closer. ⭐
Rangers could target AL West rivals' free agents this offseason, all pitchers: Astros RHP Bryan Abreu (3.73 ERA, 80 K) as a setup arm, and a Hoby Milner reunion. Power bats and bullpen help top the 2027 shopping list. 🎯
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