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3 Texas Rangers who should absolutely not return in 2023

By Seth Carlson |
Aug 24, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Brad Miller (13) watches his ball on a double in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Brad Miller (13) watches his ball on a double in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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As the Texas Rangers begin to set their sights on 2023, it’s become increasingly clear which players are worth retaining for next season and which ones to move on from. This is especially true of a team that intends to start competing for real. There’s no more time to waste.

Young talents like Josh Jung, Bubba Thompson, Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith should stay. Seems obvious enough, right? (Unless there’s a major trade to swing, of course). And that should make some of the veteran players on this squad expendable. You would think.

Here are three players who should absolutely not return to the Rangers in 2023.

3 players who should absolutely not return to the Texas Rangers in 2023

Brad Miller

What a disaster he’s been. Signed to a two-year deal last off-season, Miller has provided negative value for the Texas Rangers in 2022, totaling a -.1.4 bWAR despite having versatility and left-handed pop.

Let’s face it: Miller has been utterly useless for this team. After hitting 20 homers as a reserve player for the Phillies in 2021, that power has dissipated in a major way in 2022, as Miller has just seven long balls with the Rangers. He hasn’t been on the field recently either due to injuries.

There’s no scenario that can be drawn up where the veteran utility man continues to occupy a roster spot heading into 2023, when he could be replaced by… competence. Or at the very least, a young player.

It’s time for the Rangers to cut their loss here and absorb the second (and final) year on his contract, just as they’ve done with Rougned Odor, Joey Gallo and Elvis Andrus the last few seasons.

Aug 1, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Kole Calhoun (56) in action during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Kole Calhoun (56) in action during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

3 players who should absolutely not return to the Texas Rangers in 2023

Kole Calhoun

This signing was questioned from the moment it was announced.

Though there’s no such thing as a bad one-year deal, or the fact that Calhoun had killed the Texas Rangers as a longtime member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, neither point helps make the case for the veteran outfielder as being worth even a small investment.

Much like Miller, Calhoun has provided negative value to the Rangers in 2022, checking in with -1.2 bWAR. And that’s with 12 home runs this season, not too shabby for a part-time player.

Calhoun has been a player in decline for years, and yet the Rangers believed he could still contribute meaningfully to this roster. That hasn’t been so, and with more exciting players like Bubba Thompson having demonstrated their capacity to be assets to this team, this renders Kole Calhoun moot.

Between the Miller and Calhoun free agent signings last winter, some of the luster of an otherwise memorable off-season for the Texas Rangers was lost. Hopefully the team can improve their scouting of veteran players to add for 2023.

Sep 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc (25) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc (25) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

3 players who should absolutely not return to the Texas Rangers in 2023

Most of the current pitching staff

Instead of naming a specific player in this spot, why not just single out an entire staff?

The Texas Rangers pitching staff has been bad in 2022. Outside of a select handful of names like Martin Perez, Jon Gray, Taylor Hearn, Jonathan Hernandez and Brock Burke, almost no one else among this group has done anything to make fans feel good about the state of the pitching heading into 2023.

It’s time for a near-complete overhaul of a pitching staff that ranks 21st in baseball with a combined ERA of 4.22. There are promising pitching prospects afoot like Cole Winn, Jack Leiter and others, but to rely on them to become saviors right away would be an ill-advised strategy, especially for an organization that has been notoriously bad at developing pitching internally.

Both the starters and the bullpen have had their moments this season, like former closer Jose Leclerc blowing some recent save chances. If the Texas Rangers truly want to become contenders in 2023, it’s time to invest in a bullpen this team can feel good about late in games, in addition to a starting rotation littered with question marks.

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