Grading the Texas Rangers’ pre-MLB lockout free agent acquisitions

As the MLB and MLBPA approach an inevitable lockout, many teams were busy making moves to bolster their roster while they could, but none were as aggressive as the Texas Rangers.

In fact, according to SI.com, the Rangers signed 2 of the top 5 free agents available in Marcus Semien (4) and Corey Seager (2). They also added starting pitching in form of Jon Gray (29) and outfield help with Kole Calhoun.

The Rangers set an all-time record in money committed during one offseason at $561.2 million, but there are still more moves to be made. With the team still expected to go after hometown kid Clayton Kershaw and the best player from overseas in OF Seiya Suzuki from Japan, the off-season surely isn’t over. Unfortunately, though, that will be the end of the fun until an agreement on the next CBA can be made.

So let’s take a look at who the Rangers have wrangled in and try to grade the deals they’ve made for their 2022 team.

Grading the Texas Rangers’ free agent signings

Kole Calhoun, OF -1 year/$5.2 million (team option in ’23 for $5.5 million)

Career numbers (10 years):

• .248/.322/.427
• 161 home runs
• 105 OPS+
• 15.6 WAR
• 2015 Gold Glove- right field

Calhoun is most likely signed as outfield depth, and possible DH. He is s season vet who is what he is. At this point, you know what to expect from him. He has a career walk rate of 9% and a strikeout rate of 21%. He does hit for some power, having 33 home runs in 2019 but his career 3.7% home run rate does translate to 20-25 home runs across a full season.

His signing is akin to Charlie Culberson/Brock Holt from last year. An experienced, reliable player intended for depth but will get a decent shot to start. The downside to the contract is the amount. Now, just over $5 million isn’t exactly breaking the bank, but following last year’s power shortage (his main appeal) maybe he could’ve been had for $3 million. That’s not much to complain about, and there’s not much invested if he busts. If he pays off perhaps he could be trade bait (Soler, Duvall) which the Rangers are a bit short on.

Grade: B

If he busts that’s still $5 million down the drain. There is no buy-out for ’23 and there really isn’t TOO much to complain about the deal other than that could’ve been money spent on someone else.

Jon Gray, SP – 4 years/ $56 million

Rotation help has arrived for the Texas Rangers with the signing of Jon Gray

Career Numbers (7 years):

• 4.59 ERA
• 104 ERA+
• 1.338 WHIP
• 829.1 IP
• 53-49 W/L

Jon Gray was the 3rd overall pick back in 2013 out of Oklahoma. He was looked at as one of the more upside pitchers on the market and will be called to lead the starting rotation (as it stands). Now seeing an ERA of 4.59 may not inspire the most positive reactions but he did spend half his career games in hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Gray has been plagued by bad luck posting a career .321 batting average of balls in play. It’s not due to home runs though as he allows an average of 1.1 per 9 innings. He’s more of a ground ball pitcher seeing a 46.1% rate as compared to a 19.6% fly-ball rate. That should play well in front of what projects to be an above-average defense.

The Rangers hit the contract right on the head. Both MLBTR and I predicted a 4 year $56 million deal after he declined a reported contract offer from the Rockies. He posted a pretty good 3.84 ERA as recently as 2019 and the deal hinders on him finding that form.

Grade: A-

There is still some risk with Gray. He may not hit his peak as his peripheral numbers predict. He also had a home run rate of 1.4 and 1.3 per 9 the past 2 years. He’ll need to keep the ball down, even in this ballpark, and allow his defense to earn their worth. The hope is though he’ll achieve the ceiling that made him such a high draft pick and be a playoff starter for the next few years.

Corey Seager, SS – 10 Years /$325 million

The crown jewel of the Texas Rangers’ off-season to date

Career numbers (7 years):

• .297/.367/.504
• 104 Home Runs
• 131 OPS+
• 21.3 WAR
• 2016 – ROY, All-Star, Silver Slugger. 2017 – All-Star,  Silver Slugger. 2020 – NLCS and World Series MVP

Corey Seager is the main signing so far for the Texas Rangers. In fact, he set the franchise record for the largest deal ever. He’s one of the few high-caliber players that could push Semien to 2nd. Corey gives the Texas Rangers, arguably the best middle infield in the game. The numbers and reputation speak for themselves but more than speaking will be asked of him.

Looked at almost unanimously as one of the best hitters on the market for the next few years, the expectations will be high. Seager’s signing shows the seriousness of Chris Young and Jon Daniels’ desire to make this team competitive for years to come.

Accolades aside, the worry for Seager is his ability to stay on the field. Unlike Semien, who played 162 games twice,  Seager has only played more than 100 3 times in his 7 years.  2021 he was limited to 95 but that can be blamed on bad luck after being hit in the hand by a pitch. But at $325 million, he’ll need to stay healthy to make the impact needed.

Grade: A 

Corey Seager is one of the premier players in the game and he’s now a Texas Ranger. Injury concern plagued Texas with Prince Fielder, which hurt the team for years but that worry doesn’t quite lie with Seager yet. The Rangers overpaid to get their guy and it could all be worth it when he holds the Commissioners Trophy (which needs a new name) in Arlington.