Texas Rangers Rumor Roundup: Where things stand and what’s next?

In case you missed the news: Texas Rangers baseball is officially returning in 2022 after the owners and players ratified a new CBA effective immediately! The new parameters will undo the transaction freeze and months of inactivity as sights are now set on playing games.

So let’s refresh your memory, shall we? What were the Texas Rangers up to before the lockout and what’s to come as the next few weeks look to be filled with rumors, signings and trades in a furious frenzy.

Texas Rangers rumor roundup: Where things stand and what’s to come

Before the lockout

• Signed Corey Seager to a 10-year, $325 million deal
• Signed Marcus Semien to a seven-year, $175 million deal
• Signed Jon Gray to a four-year, $56 million deal
• Signed Kole Calhoun to a one-year, $5 million deal

Those expenditures racked up a grand total of… $561 million! But the fun from December won’t be stopping there, as the Texas Rangers plan to keep adding to the roster now that the lockout has been lifted.

Post-lockout

We know the team has been chasing Clayton Kershaw in free agency as the longtime Dodger mulls the possibility of returning home to Dallas in his first foray into the open market. And Evan Grant reports that the Rangers have already begun their plan to make contact with the legendary lefty.

Kershaw leaving the Dodgers still feels weird, but Texas has come in with a heavy hand. With the money they can offer, along with the hometown appeal, it’s quite possible the 33-year-old could be pitching for the Rangers in 2022 and possibly beyond.

The second name Grant notes is Matt Olson, whose trail the Rangers have also been hot on. Texas doesn’t necessarily need an upgrade at first base, nor would Olson come cheap given that he plays for the division rival A’s. But the fact that the team has interest in him despite already having a solid option in-house in Nathaniel Lowe should tell you they’re serious enough about pulling a blockbuster like this.

Kershaw and Olson have by far been the biggest buzz names surrounding the Texas Rangers to this point, but others including Japanese sensation Seiya Suzuki, Nick Castellanos, Michael Conforto and Kyle Schwarber have also been mentioned in rumors. Texas isn’t closing the door on any big name addition, so all of these names are theoretically in play.

With the lockout finally in the past and the transaction freeze ready to thaw, let’s see what the Texas Rangers plan to do for an encore!

Strap in.