3 former Rangers struggling to find success with new team this spring

It hasn't been the smoothest transition for a handful of former Texas Rangers in their new homes this spring training.

This offseason was probably the biggest change for Rangers' fans in recent years with the departure of many beloved players, including these three that played instrumental roles in team's resurgence and first World Series title.

3 Rangers' struggling to find their groove in their new uniforms

Andrew Heaney

One of the most reliable pitchers for the Rangers in 2023 and 2024, Heaney was one of the last signings of free agency signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates until February 22. Given his late signing he's only appeared in three games for Pittsburgh but he has a 11.25 ERA in eight innings of work.

Heaney is going to slot into a fourth or fifth spot in the Pirates' rotation due to the young talented front end of Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Mitch Keller. It was never going to be easy for Heaney this season after a tough 2024 campaign where he lost 14 games, complied a 4.28 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 160 innings.

What gives Heaney a good leg up, despite his poor production is the fact he eats innings. The Pirates already have a weaker rotation once you get past the two stars at the top, Heaney is the veteran in the rotation with over 1,000 innings in his big league career. Regardless, he needs to figure it out because Pittsburgh will then be forced to make a move that will hurt his status with the team.

Jose Leclerc

When Leclerc officially left to join the Athletics this offseason it ended his eight year tenure with the Texas Rangers. With his departure went the last rostered player to play a game at The Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

His tenure was up and down with Texas but ultimately his performance in the 2023 postseason secured his legacy among Rangers fans as one of the most belowed to wear Texas across their chest.

However, his first couple of games in an A's uniform have not been super smooth. They haven't been terrible but in five innings of work, he's compiled a 3.60 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and a .263 opponents batting average. A positive sign is his last three appearances have been scoreless outings with six strikeouts and a .100 opposing average.

Nathaniel Lowe

Lowe was traded to the Washington Nationals in December and that no doubt has to take a toll on a player. For four seasons, Lowe was entrusted with the first baseman spot in Texas and everyday would report to a familiar setting either in Arlington or Surprise trying to maximize his results. Now all of a sudden he's with a new team, going to spring training in Florida and upending his entire life.

Therefore it makes sense that he'd be struggling to get going this spring but a .172 batting average in nearly 30 at-bats is not ideal for any scenario. Although he's only been in the league for five seasons, the 29-year-old is now considered to be among the more experienced players on a Nationals team which has an average age of 26 years old.

It's likely not the way the Nationals have wanted his spring to go but there is still a lot of optimism. Despite the tough 2024 season Lowe is only two seasons removed from a year where he played 161 regular season games that ended in Gold Glove and three years removed from winning a Silver Slugger.