Spring Training is just around the corner. I hope all of you have been enjoying your MLB offseason. I have been enjoying mine. Whether or not you’re a Texas Rangers fan, you could learn a thing or two from my new mailbag for January 2024. Here are the key things to know for January ’24.
5. At this portion of the offseason, what letter grade would you assign to the Rangers’ 40-man roster? In your opinion, what team areas are deficient and need work?
Right now, I’d assign the Rangers a “B” grade. Obviously, I’ll need to see how the Rangers’ offseason signings pan out in the regular- and post-seasons, but I’m pretty content with their signings so far.
On Friday, January 26th, they signed David Robertson, a free agent relief pitcher who’s 38 years old, to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2025. Robertson had a 3.03 ERA last season. For a contract reportedly expected to be in the $11-12 million range, this was a solid signing for a free agent and veteran reliever like him. The Rangers made other signings. I won’t name all of them, but I’ll tell you the ones that stood out to me. Those standouts are left-handed pitcher Blake Taylor, first baseman and right fielder Jared Walsh, and infielder Matt Duffy, all of whom signed minor-league contracts so they’ve been extended an invitation to Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona. All three invitees can help the Rangers in their respective positions.
4. The Rangers lost out on Josh Hader to the rival Houston Astros likely due to issues related to not having a TV deal in place beyond this coming season. Are there any internal candidates the team can rely on to add depth at the back end?
Yeah, I know. Most, if not all, Rangers fans were upset about that, but it is what it is with the TV deal situation and all of that. The Rangers could use some help with the back end of the bullpen. This may or may not be one of the Rangers’ biggest concerns, depending on how you see it. But I think this may be a concern because Nathan Eovaldi will probably be the starter on Opening Day. He’ll likely be backed by Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning, Jon Gray, and Cody Bradford, but there might be a potential injury, so I think the Rangers should be on the safe side and sign Jordan Montgomery.
3. Jordan Montgomery seems like the perfect fit for the Rangers and has stated that he wants to come back. Given the confusion surrounding the future of the Regional Sports Network for the Rangers, do they have enough money to sign Montgomery prior to Opening Day?
Yes, I agree with you. But, like you mentioned, the Rangers might not have enough money to sign Jordan Montgomery before Opening Day. Montgomery is represented by Scott Boras, but that doesn’t mean that the Rangers will successfully pursue a free-agent pitcher like him. The Rangers will likely wait to find out if they’ll sign him as Diamond Sports Group is in bankruptcy and trying to avoid paying some or all of the money they owe them. So, there’s a chance, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
2. On the pitching front, what is the chance that Jack Leiter pitches in the big league rotation this year? Both Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom aren’t expected back until the second half of the year. Does that increase the possibility of Leiter being a part of the rotation sooner than later?
You’re right about Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom, which is unfortunate, but the Rangers will be alright.
I know the season hasn’t started yet, but the Rangers can chase a World Series repeat. To do that, they should promote Jack Leiter to the big leagues. Leiter has had success at Triple-A Round Rock Express.
It has been reported that Rangers manager Bruce Bochy once called the idea of promoting Leiter to the majors “tempting” given his success at Round Rock. I don’t blame him at all. I’d probably say the same if I was in his shoes. I’d like to see Leiter be a part of the Rangers’ rotation sooner than later, but I don’t think that will actually happen. I like his high 90’s fastball and his good change-up, curveball, and slider. But he has to pitch well, like at least the first six weeks of the upcoming season, before getting a potential call-up. He has to prove the team that he can improve the quality of his secondary pitches and command a fastball to both sides of a plate. I believe in him, but at the end of the day, it’s up to him.
1. Wyatt Langford is currently ranked as the team’s number two top prospect, according to MLB.com. Do you see him competing for an everyday starting job in Spring Training and if so, which position is he most likely to compete for?
That’s correct. Yes, I see Wyatt Langford competing for an everyday starting job in Spring Training. Langford can play outfielder and first baseman, but I think he’ll most likely compete for an outfielder position. He looks like he’s ready for the Texas Rangers with his home runs, RBI, stolen bases, and the like.
If this does happen, I hope Langford will stay hot and consistent in the big leagues because there’s a lot of pressure for fourth-overall picks like him. Good luck to him!
