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

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.

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.

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.