Texas Rangers: Who’s on the books for the 2022 season?

Texas Rangers Ray Davis — ARLINGTON, TX – February 5: Ray Davis co-owner of the Texas Rangers announces a 10 year agreement establishing Global Life Park as the new name for Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on February 5, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)

Texas Rangers President Jon Daniels made it clear during exit interviews that the Rangers have permission from owner Ray Davis to spend at retail value to lure free agents to Texas.

According to FanGraphs.com, the Rangers estimated final payroll in 2021 was approximately $98M.

In 2022, the MLB Luxury Tax payroll must remain at or below $210, 000,000. The estimated 2022 payroll for the Rangers currently stands at approximately $52M.

Here is a look at the Texas Rangers 2022 salary obligations

Active Players

The Texas Rangers currently only have eight players signed for the 2022 season.

Jose Leclerc (RP)

2022 Salary: $5,250,000

Jose Leclerc is currently the highest paid player on the Rangers in 2022. Unfortunately, Leclerc is recovering from surgery and will not be ready to start the season with the Rangers. The Rangers have club options for 2023 ($6M) and 2024 ($6.25M) on Leclerc. If he is healthy, there is no doubt that the Rangers will honor the remainder of his contract.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa (SS)

2022 Salary: $4,9000,000

Isaiah Kiner-Falefa is the reigning MLB Gold Glove Award winner at 3B. He moved to SS in 2021 and was even better. In 2023, Kiner-Falefa will enter his final year of arbitration eligibility before he can become a free agent in 2024.

Matt Bush (RP)

2022 Salary: $900,000

Matt Bush was injured for most of 2021. Between a rehab assignment and pitching for the Rangers, Bush only pitched a total of 7.0 innings. Bush did however, finish the 2021 campaign healthy. After 2022, Bush has two years of arbitration eligibility before he can become a free agent in 2025.

Ronald Guzman (1B)

2022 Salary: $1,000,000

After a meniscus tear in his right knee, Ronald Guzman spent most of 2021 on the 60-day injury list. After 2022, Guzman has two years of arbitration eligibility before he can become a free agent in 2025.

Willie Calhoun (OF/DH)

2022 Salary: $1,600,000

Willie Calhoun missed a significant amount of time due to injury in 2021. Calhoun only played 75 games for the Rangers and he regressed from career high’s in many offensive categories. Calhoun did however, seem healthy to finish out 2021. Calhoun also has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining before he can become a free agent in 2025.

Jharel Cotton (RP)

2022 Salary: $1,200,000

Jharel Cotton pitched well out of the bullpen for the Rangers in 2021. Working out of the bullpen for the first time in his MLB career, Cotton made 23 relief appearances for Texas. After 2022, he has two years of arbitration eligibility before he can become a free agent in 2025.

Brett Martin (RP)

2022 Salary: $1,100,000

Brett Martin has been a mainstay in the Texas bullpen for the last three years. He made a career high 66 relief appearances and earned 11 Holds for the Rangers. After 2022, Martin has three years of arbitration eligibility remaining before he can be a free agent in 2026.

Taylor Hearn (SP)