3 free agents from rivals the Rangers should target this offseason

It is no secret that free agency has long been seen as a way for teams to make quick fixes and expedite the construction of a championship roster, and with the Texas Rangers only one season removed from a World Series title, some key acquisitions could legitimately place them right back in the fold.

With a large free agent class expected to hit the market this offseason, there are three players from rival squads that general manager Chris Young and company should seriously consider bringing to Arlington.

3 free agents from rivals the Rangers should target this offseason

Justin Verlander

It is unclear whether or not the front office will invest in starting pitching this season, and even more uncertain if they would choose an external arm instead of brining back Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney. Regardless, it may make sense to at least speak to Justin Verlander about switching area codes.

The 41-year-old is coming off of a rough 2024 that saw him earn a 5.48 ERA with the Houston Astros. He dealt with multiple shoulder injuries during the campaign and only made 17 starts. Verlander may be past his prime, but is not looking to retire quite yet.

“I do feel like I have a lot more to give pitching-wise,” Verlander told MLB.com. “This year was a tough year, learned a lot from it. Obviously, I talked to you guys about how I was feeling coming back [from a neck injury] and how I needed to push the issue a bit."

With Max Scherzer's likely departure and a rotation that's projected to have some younger pieces in 2025, it could be wise to sign a future hall of famer. The Virginia native holds a career 3.58 ERA in Postseason play, and has been a part of multiple title runs.

It would not be shocking to see Verlander bounce back somewhat next season, and even if he can not stay fully healthy in 2025, his presence could benefit younger arms like Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter.

Clay Holmes

Texas' bullpen was one of baseball's worst in 2024. The group posted the firth worst ERA in the game and could be losing man power this winter. Kirby Yates, David Robertson and José Leclerc are all set to become free agents, meaning the Rangers will have to be crafty.

Taking a flyer on New York Yankees' reliever Clay Holmes may be a smart choice. The righty struggled this past season and lead the league with 13 blown saves. As the year progressed, he lost his once ironclad status as New York's closer and could be looking for a change this offseason.

While fans may not be intrigued about a player who struggled during high-stress innings, it is key to remember that Holmes' stuff is nothing to sneer at. When right, the 31-year-old's sinker, slider, and sweeper all boast elite movement. He ranked in the 100th percentile in ground ball% this past year and the 84th percentile in barrel%.

A new home may allow Holmes to hit his spots with more consistency and overcome some of the mental stress that may have impacted his Bronx tenure.

Yusei Kikuchi

Sometimes flashes of potential can be enough to excite. Yusei Kikuchi enjoyed a fruitful 2024 after making tweaks to his pitch selection. His market will be intriguing given how his season can be broken down.

All told, he earned a 4.05 ERA across 32 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros. He was particularly effective with Houston and worked to a 5-1 record with a 2.70 ERA over 60 innings. It is possible that the Rangers will be able to get Kikuchi at a modest price since it is not known if his success was simply a fluke or an actual sign of progression.

It is doubtful that Young and the front office would pay the Morioka native like a top rotation arm, but they may be open to going slightly out of their comfort zone given the upside to what he showed this summer.