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3 realistic Rangers center field targets after Evan Carter injury news

Chris Young said center field will be a "primary focus" for Texas this offseason.
ByJackson Kruse
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Oct 3, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (12) looks on in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game one of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Oct 3, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (12) looks on in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game one of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Texas Rangers center fielder Evan Carter is expected to miss the start of the 2027 season after undergoing hip surgery, according to multiple publications, including ESPN. The surgery addressed a hip impingement and labral issue, according to Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young.

With Carter likely to miss the start of the season, Young said center field will be a "primary focus" for the Rangers this offseason, per the Dallas Morning News' Shawn McFarland. Carter is expected to play at some point next year, but the Rangers want to be prepared for possible setbacks.

Several center fielders on the free agent market are candidates to sign a one-year "prove it" deal after a rough 2026 season, making them perfect fits for the Rangers amid Carter's injury.

3 center fielders Rangers should pursue after Evan Carter's injury

Trent Grisham

Grisham accepted a qualifying offer from the Yankees last offseason after posting 3.1 fWAR and a 128 wRC+ with 34 home runs in 2025. Grisham likely regrets accepting the QO, as he posted just 0.7 fWAR with a .211/.308/.395 (98 wRC+) slash line over 121 games this year.

ESPN projects Grisham will sign a one-year, $14 million deal this offseason. Since the Rangers are likely looking to sign an outfielder to a one-year deal, Grisham could be a perfect target. If Grisham can return to his 2025 form, $14 million for one year would be a steal. One major downside of Grisham's game is that his defensive metrics have declined drastically over the past two seasons, so he could play corner outfield while Wyatt Langford plays center field until Carter returns. Also, the DH spot will likely be open now that Joc Pederson is a free agent.

Tyrone Taylor

Taylor honestly seems like a better fit for Texas than Grisham, even though Grisham is more of a household name. Taylor, a right-handed batter, spent the past season with the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs. In 241 plate appearances between the two clubs, Taylor hit .279/.325/.502 (127 wRC+) with 11 home runs and 38 RBI. Taylor is also a strong defender, posting +5 Defensive Runs Saved in 527 1/3 innings in the outfield last season.

Spotrac predicts Taylor will sign a one-year, $7.5 million deal this offseason. Among the three players on this list, Taylor appears to be the best fit.

Daulton Varsho

If the Rangers miss out on Taylor and Grisham, Varsho is another center field option. Varsho is likely seeking a one-year deal after a disappointing season in which he posted 0.8 fWAR and a 78 wRC+ in 140 games between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros. ESPN predicts he will sign a one-year, $15 million contract. The outfielder underwent left arthroscopic wrist surgery in late September, ending his season. Since making his MLB debut in 2020, Varsho has posted 14.2 fWAR.

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