3 free agents the Texas Rangers already need to be thinking about in 2022

Sep 10, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Joey Gallo (13) is congratulated after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Joey Gallo (13) is congratulated after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 10, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Joey Gallo (13) is congratulated after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Joey Gallo (13) is congratulated after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2021-22 off-season is currently locked out, and that’s no fun. We wanted the Texas Rangers‘ frenzy to continue on! Fortunately, it’s expected to assuming a new CBA gets hammered out.

Nothing’s guaranteed at the moment, though, which has us dreaming of a normal off-season next year when the two sides surely will have allowed a full season of baseball to be played, right? RIGHT?

Texas is looking to take a step forward in 2022 after a forgettable 2021, and that’s been loud and clear based on the $561 million they committed to free agents prior to the lockout. But if 2023 is truly their goal to return to the promised land, they’ll need a strategy for next off-season as well.

Here are three 2022-23 free agents the Texas Rangers need to be giving consideration to next winter.

3 free agents the Texas Rangers should already be targeting for next off-season

Joey Gallo

This one doesn’t need much explanation. After being traded to the Yankees for four prospects this past summer, Gallo struggled in New York and it’s very clear he won’t be sticking around there after the 2022 season.

So naturally the Rangers have to bring him back for 2023.

I don’t think Gallo ever wanted to leave Texas, and if it were up to him, he would’ve likely opted to remain in Arlington. And though he did get his first taste of postseason action with the Yankees in 2021, it didn’t go so well.

Clearly, the Rangers missed his presence in the lineup and clubhouse after his departure, but they’re better for having made that deal. It looks like a real winner at this point.

And the beauty of free agency is that he can be had back for just money.

Texas desperately needs a big bat in their outfield, and landing Seiya Suzuki in free agency this winter is not a sure thing. They better have contingency plans in place, and waiting to splash on Joey Gallo after the 2022 season would be far from a bad one.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 28: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets pitches during the first inning in game 2 of a double header against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on September 28, 2021 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Marlins 2-1 in nine innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images).
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 28: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets pitches during the first inning in game 2 of a double header against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on September 28, 2021 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Marlins 2-1 in nine innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images). /

Noah Syndergaard

He’ll be Los Angeles Angels property in 2022 after signing a one-year, $25 million pact with them prior to the lockout, but he returns to the open market after the season.

After sitting out 2020 and almost all of 2021 due to Tommy John surgery, tossing just two innings in that span, “Thor” has a lot to prove in Anaheim this year. There’s no reason to believe he won’t be capable of proving himself given his electric stuff and alpha personality on the mound, but it was a risk to hand him so much money, anyway, even if on just a one-year deal.

That’s not the kind of risk the Texas Rangers could afford to take. If the plan was to contend this season, perhaps a flyer on Syndergaard would’ve been acceptable, but not right now. The Rangers need dependable innings after lacking badly in that department last season.

But assuming Syndergaard dominates with the Angels? Well that’s a different story.

Like current free agent target Clayton Kershaw, Thor hails from the Dallas area and would probably relish the idea of pitching at home. Texas would also be in much better position to offer him a chance to win in 2023, which has to be appealing as well.

Syndergaard’s power pitching would mesh well with Jon Gray’s stability and the promise of young guys like Cole Winn and Jack Leiter to create a dynamic starting five for the Rangers.

Sep 30, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Willson Contreras

You probably didn’t see this one coming.

In theory, the Texas Rangers are set at catcher with Jose Trevino and Jonah Heim. And that’s true for now, as both are serviceable options. For 2022, that tandem works.

But going forward? The ceilings on both players are limited, and as the team’s overall ceiling continues to rise, they’ll want a catcher that can match that potential.

That’s where Willson Contreras comes in.

One of the best catchers in the game, Contreras is surprisingly stated to hit the open market barring the Cubs extending him. But if that doesn’t happen after the lockout, it probably never will.

Contreras would be a perfect mentor to a team that will have a few young pitchers joining them in a year or two. He would give the Rangers their best catcher since Pudge Rodriguez.

I don’t believe there’s any catcher in the Texas organization that offers the upside of Willson Contreras. I’m not convinced Sam Huff is the answer long term behind the plate, nor David Garcia. Or Yohel Pozo. And unfortunately, Trevino and Heim probably aren’t more than backup players on a contending roster. Really good ones, at that.

Next. 3 reasons to get excited about the 2022 Texas Rangers. dark

Unless the Rangers plan to draft a catcher with their first round selection in the 2022 MLB Draft (their Adley Rutschman), Willson Contreras feels like a slam dunk free agent target for Texas to pursue next winter.

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