How 5 former Texas Rangers are doing with their new teams

As is par for the rebuilding course, the 2022 Texas Rangers look quite a bit different than their 2021 predecessors when it comes to roster construction. The additions of Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Jon Gray, Kole Calhoun, Brad Miller, Martin Perez, Mitch Garver and Garrett Richards alone count for nearly one-third of the roster in 2022, all players who weren’t here in 2021.

With so much turnover, however, comes the reality of former regulars for the Texas Rangers donning other uniforms across baseball. Let’s look at five prominent former Rangers from 2021 and how they’re doing on their new clubs in 2022.

How 5 former Texas Rangers are performing with their new clubs

5. Isiah Kiner-Falefa

First traded to the Minnesota Twins for Mitch Garver before being flipped to the Yankees, IKF is having a solid season in pinstripes thus far. His .277/.321/.658 triple slash is roughly in line with his career numbers at the plate, while mainly spending time at shortstop with New York.

You’re never going to get above-average production from Kiner-Falefa, but you’ll get a hard-working, versatile player who gives his all day in and day out. He’s a stopgap option for a team looking to plug a hole like the Yankees. But if the opportunity presents itself to upgrade (Corey Seager), you go for it.

And that’s exactly what the Rangers did.

How 5 former Texas Rangers are performing with their new clubs

3. Kyle Gibson

The Texas Rangers managed to turn Kyle Gibson into an ace during the first half of 2021, en route to his first career All-Star appearance last season. After being traded to the Phillies at last July’s deadline, he hasn’t been able to repeat his Arlington success, though he’s been solid.

In seven 2022 starts, “Gibby” has a 4.10 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP, figures which are slightly better than his career stats, but far below his first half last season, which saw Gibson with a 2.87 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 19 first-half starts.

Texas was right to trade the veteran right-hander while his value would be higher than it ever was before and ever will be going forward.

How 5 former Texas Rangers are performing with their new clubs

2. Jose Trevino

A fan favorite in Texas, Jose Trevino was dealt to the Yankees just before the start of the 2022 season as the Rangers already had Jonah Heim and Mitch Garver in-house at the catcher position.

Trevy has never been known for his bat, and his .470 OPS in 47 at-bats so far this season reflect such a thing. But the veteran catcher provides value in other areas, most notably his leadership and pitch-framing skills, both of which are also important attributes in the fabric of the game.

Jonah Heim and Mitch Garver are also strong defenders like Trevino, but both are hitting far better than Jose in 2022, which is significant because having catchers that can both hit and play their position well is a true asset for any big league team.

Trevino isn’t more than a backup or platoon option on the diamond, but he’s a great clubhouse guy.

How 5 former Texas Rangers are performing with their new clubs

1. Joey Gallo

Ah, the enigma that is Joey Gallo.

Brutalized by Yankees fans for his struggles after arriving in a trade from the Texas Rangers last summer, Gallo has mostly continued to falter in pinstripes in 2022, not earning any endearment from his home fans once again.

Gallo’s .699 OPS in 2022 lags behind his .816 career OPS, though he does have five homers so far. As the weather warms up, Gallo too should warm up. He’s got the perfect player profile for a Bronx Bomber who can take advantage of playing with a short porch for 81 games out of the year.

It doesn’t get much more three true outcomes than Gallo. But barring some epic tear by the southpaw slugger, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the Texas Rangers have gotten the better of that July 2021 blockbuster trade, especially with how well the prospects have played since joining the organization.