GM'ing the Texas Rangers into the 2023 World Series

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WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 02: A detail view of a Baby Shark in the Commissioner’s Trophy during a parade to celebrate the Washington Nationals World Series victory over the Houston Astros on November 2, 2019 in Washington, DC. This is the first World Series win for the Nationals in 95 years. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Thanks to the MLB lockout, there hasn’t been much in the way of Texas Rangers rumors or news.

Without any of those pesky distractions (come back!), much thought has gone into how to get the Texas Rangers into the World Series.

The CBA negotiations, or lack thereof, have led to a state of perturbed tranquility. The irrational yet direct contemplations that accompany this disposition will be spewed out here in an effort to excite and actualize.

I won’t take too long to describe what I’m doing. It’s in the title for crying out loud. Though I’m definitely going to cheat a bit on the *day* aspect. I’m also going to be focusing on getting the Rangers into the 2023 World Series, for even in my own imagination I can’t quite create a team that gets it done in 2022.

GM’ing the Texas Rangers into the 2023 World Series

1. DON’T sign Kershaw, DO sign Suzuki

Heartbreak. An idea that just about everyone here at Nolan Writin’ and anyone who covers the Texas Rangers has talked about to great length, fails to come to fruition. Not for lack of trying though. I did offer him three years at $20 million AAV but he desires to retire a Dodger…and they pay him more. In a bit of a consolation prize, I continue to spread the Rangers’ generosity and sign Seiya Suzuki to a five-year, $65 million deal.

2. Trade for Eric Hosmer AND Wil Myers (Robert Hassell tags along)

Prior to the 2021 trade deadline, Texas nearly had a deal to send Joey Gallo to the Rangers West (Padres). Jon Daniels and Chris Young chose the larger and cheaper package from the Yankees. So the long-rumored deal with San Diego for highly touted prospect Robert Hassell is dead without a top-end player, right? WRONG. Hosmer’s $20 million this year and $59 million total isn’t the only albatross. Wil Myers is also signed for $20 million in 2022, though his contract does have a buy-out at the end of the season. However, with the collapse of 2021 fresh in the minds of the owners and fans, added pressure is applied to win now for AJ Preller. He makes the move to free up enough money to sign Nick Castellanos (or whoever they want).

To complete this transaction, The Padres also send $3 million for each of ’22-’25. The Rangers do have to eat all of Myers’ contract. The dream scenario is Myers improves his play and becomes a trade candidate but the reality is he continues to be average, plays out the year, and then I buy him out at the end of 2022. I do also lose burgeoning fan-favorite Garcia with Calhoun and Allard. This is necessary due to San Diego’s desire and need for a power corner OF, DH (yes they add it), and back-end starter/bullpen arms.

Sep 28, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Chad Pinder (4) celebrates with Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson (28) after hitting a solo-home run against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Trade Hosmer away

Myers may get to play a full season in Arlington but Hosmer never gets the chance to suit up. He is quickly shipped off to Milwaukee. Hosmer COULD play first base for the Brew Crew but his defense has been highly suspect and is used primarily as their DH.

The deal also includes the Brewers paying $7 million for 2022 and $5 million for ’23-’25. Hosmer at nearly four years/$60 million is bad. Hosmer at four years/$22 million at DH is good. The Brewers are happy to bring him in and Texas is happy to shed some payroll while acquiring what could be a high-end reliever (just ask Brian Sweet) with a top 13 prospect in tow.

4. Trade for Matt Olson

My final and arguably most important move of this offseason would be acquiring one of the best first basemen in the game. It’s not that I don’t like Nathaniel Lowe, because I do and I believe he will be a fine first baseman for years. It’s that Olson is just that good. AND he is available in his prime which does not happen often.

Lowe going to Oakland in an Olson deal is almost a given. A’s need a replacement, Rangers don’t. Lowe is also young, controllable, and promising. As I said he will be good, he just isn’t Olson good. The A’s are also planning to send off multiple starting pitchers so exciting flame thrower A.J. Alexy would be welcomed. Foscue is the prize here though and could press to be their number 1 prospect.

I successfully pointed out to Mr. Beane the previous trades involving Kris Bryant, Joey Gallo, Javier Baez, Nolan Arenado, and even Scherzer/Turner. Showing them their returns, Oakland opts for the larger return with lots of promise. Their farm system is rather weak and if they plan to trade away multiple big league pieces, they’ll need multiple in return.

The 2022 Texas Rangers team is assembled

This gives the Texas Rangers a much improved, but still lacking team at ~$167 million payroll for the 2022 season. The lineup and rotation could look a little something like:

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, DH
Corey Seager, SS
Marcus Semien, 2B
Matt Olson, 1B
Wil Myers, RF
Seiya Suzuki, CF
Kole Calhoun, LF
Josh Jung, 3B
J. Heim/J. Trevino, C

Jon Gray
Dane Dunning
Taylor Hearn
Glenn Otto
Spencer Howard

That’s right, I let Josh Jung start off his career with a full season. Also along the way, I’d expect Cole Winn to be called up. Robert Hassell has another good season but isn’t brought up yet. Jack Leiter makes his professional debut and works his way to AA. I also make some position switches in the minors to the backlogged infielders. Both Duran and Smith find their way into the outfield.

It’s a competitive lineup with a relatively non-competitive rotation.

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

Into the future!

I told you I was cheating on the *day* part. I hop into my time machine and fast forward to the end of the 2022 season. The team fought but was still just 78-84. I buy out Myers contract for $1 million, and with Hosmer’s lower $13 million salary reduced even further by the Padres/Brewers it comes in at $5 million. This starts us off at a $109 million payroll going into the offseason.

5. Extend Matt Olson

Olson is due about $12 million through arbitration in 2022 and has 1 more year to go of who knows what. It doesn’t matter because you extend the gold glover on a 7 year/$224 million deal. The infield is set through 2028 baring injury or degraded performance.

6. Sign Noah Syndergaard

Here’s to hoping the DFW native has a bounce-back year coming off Tommy John surgery. He’s only tethered to the Angels for 1 year and it’s an important one for his career. At 31 years old, You can compare what he would get to the likes of Robbie Ray, Kevin Gausman, and Marcus Stroman. A 5 year/$125 million deal should get this done. That is more than the prior mentioned Cy Young Winners. This of course is contingent on him playing at a high level AND staying healthy. Mike Clevinger and Chris Bassitt would be candidates as well.

7. Trade Isiah Kiner-Falefa

One of the few shining spots and bastions of hope in these dark years is sent off. After the signings of Semien and Seager and the emergence of Jung, his purpose is better suited as a trade candidate to help the depleted farm system. It’s not that IKF isn’t needed or wanted because he very much is. He could help in a multitude of ways and would be valuable here but this is a business decision. He only has one more year of team control at this point before another team would be able to steal him away. Tyler Henderson touched on this subject and his trade proposal with the Yankees is a good one.

This isn’t an easy decision to be made but it is a necessary one. Medina is a flame thrower who can hit triple digits but struggles with command. He COULD be a starter but will likely end up as a reliever.

Selvidge is the less-heralded prospect here but is more likely to end up at the starter. He fits the profile the Texas Rangers want, a rising prospect who seems to be figuring things out. This will be important if the team is to compete.

The 2023 Texas Rangers

Finally, with a payroll of ~$167 million the Texas Rangers are ready to compete for a spot in the big stage. Ideally, Jack Leiter is a quick riser and makes his presence known during the ’23 season. Josh H. Smith is also called up to play in the outfield. Finally, Sam Huff is back in a Rangers uniform after cleaning up his approach a bit. He still strikes out a ton but manages to get on base more and continues to hit mammoth homers. The line-up and rotation could look like (with accompanying 2021 stats):

Seiya Suzuki, CF .317/.433/.636 – 38 home runs*
Corey Seager, SS .306/.394/.521 – 16 home runs**
Marcus Semien, 2B .265/.334/.538 – 45 home runs
Matt Olson, 1B .271/.371/.540 – 39 home runs
Josh Jung, 3B .326/.398/.592 – 19 home runs***
Sam Huff, DH .246/.317/.496 – 16 home runs***
Robert Hassell, LF .302/.393/.470 – 11 home runs***
Josh H. Smith, RF .309/.429/.535 – 13 home runs***
J. Heim/J. Trevino, C

Noah Syndergaard
Cole Winn
Jon Gray
Jack Leiter
Dane Dunning

*- NPB

**- 95 games

***- Minor Leagues

It does decimate the current farm system. The top 6 prospects either graduate or are traded. There also isn’t too much more to spend. However, this team can stay together for years. Suzuki would be the first to become a free agent after the 2026 season. Jon Gray is the first pitcher to depart after the 2025 season. Those can be filled in a multitude of ways, keeping this team competitive for the next 5-10 years.

Next. 3 free agents Rangers already need to start targeting next winter. dark

This, after all, is a dreamt-up scenario. In a world where most things work out (I did miss on Kershaw and Gallo) I feel this is as good a plan as any to get them back into the Winter Classic. Of course, there are a million ways to get there, this way is mine (kinda). What additions or subtractions would you like to see?

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