3 Rangers players from last year's team that will be missed, 2 who won't

The Texas Rangers returned to the diamond earlier this month with health, a revamped bullpen and fresh new faces that provide extra layers of depth within the lineup. After a moderately busy offseason from the front office, the additions are complete and now evaluating the talent begins as Opening Day is fast approaching.

The "semi-new" look Rangers provide a great boost of energy as the focus turns to maximizing offensive output, something that was glaringly absent in 2024. Jake Burger and Joc Pederson bring the slugging power. At the same time, the new look bullpen does leave a lot of questions unanswered.

Regardless, the reconstruction of the roster gives the organization and its fans confidence that 2024 was the fluke year, not 2023. Of course it could be better, and reuniting with several old faces would've boosted that confidence to an all-time high.

3 Rangers from the 2024 season that will be missed

Andrew Heaney

I understand on the surface it might seem insane to say Heaney will be missed. Especially since on paper, the rotation is seven deep and bullpen even deeper. It made sense that Texas didn't re-sign him but it doesn't mean that having an extra-level of security on your pitching staff is bad.

Heaney was the definition of reliability with Texas. While his production wasn't the best on the team Heaney could be counted on to pitch every fifth day. During his two seasons as a Ranger he finished top 3 in innings pitched both years, adding up to 307 1/3 innings, with a 4.22 ERA and over 300 strikeouts and never went on the IL.

The best part about Heaney was his lack of ego. While other pitchers who have a long service time of 10+ years, most of those spent as a starter, they refuse to go to the bullpen. Not Heaney! And that helped the Rangers immensely with their depth in their 2023 championship run.

Travis Jankowski

Texas will forever miss El Blondi. While he was never an everyday starter, he filled the platoon role perfectly appearing in 211 games over the last two seasons.

Jankowski is the perfect role player. His constant professionalism, patience at the plate and elite outfield defense is what has kept him in the league this long and it's exaclty what the Rangers fell in love with during his time in Arlington.

He will most likely be remembered for his contributions as Adolis Garcia's replacement in the final two games of the 2023 World Series where he went 2-for-7 with 2 RBI's and 2 runs. But his time was felt with so many other picture perfect moments, including his game-tying ninth-inning home run on Opening Day last year and his tremendous home run robbery against the White Sox.

Kirby Yates

Yates will be the biggest regret for the Rangers coming into the year. Texas is missing a top tier closer and that's exactly what Yates was in 2024.

In 61 games he recorded a 1.17 ERA, 84 strikeouts, was 33 for 34 in saves and limited hitters to a .113 batting average against. It was his best season since his 2019 campaign when he finished with 41 saves with the San Diego Padres.

With a total of 95 career saves, Yates has 81 more saves then the Rangers current saves leader in Chris Martin. No knock to Martin, whose been a terrific bullpen arm throughout his career, his opportunities to close out games have been few, with only 30 chances.

2 Rangers from the 2024 season that won't be missed

Jonathan Hernandez

I could technically place any reliever that was DFA'd by the team to take one of these spots but I chose Hernandez. For some reason, ever since Bruce Bochy took over as the team's skipper in 2023, he's put a weird amount of trust in Hernandez despite a mixed bag of production.

In some way it's understandable because the two seasons before Bochy got to Texas, Hernandez was one of the team's most reliable relievers. But Hernandez quickly fell downhill recording an ERA of 5.97 in 74 innings of work in 2023 and 2024, before being released in July.

While he technically wasn't on the team at the end of the year, he was still a member of the 2024 Texas Rangers and it's important we take this moment to acknowledge that fans don't have to stress anymore when he pitches.

Max Scherzer

I hate to include Max on this list because he's a future Hall of Famer and despite his inconsistency to stay on the field he was a complete vibe during his tenure with Texas.

But it's that inconsistency that puts him on this side of my list. During his time in Arlington he only pitched in 17 games, facing a plethora of injuries. Last season, Scherzer only started nine games and at a price tag of $12.4 million, that productivity wasn't good enough.

Scherzer has found his next and likely final home this year. The 41-year-old signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays and I want him to be successful but also glad Texas decided to move on from the right-hander.