5 bold predictions for the 2026 Texas Rangers

There seems to be plenty of gloom and doom surrounding the 2026 version of the Texas Rangers going around these days.

With Ray Davis and ownership slashing the budget and tying one hand behind Chris Young's back to go out and revamp a disappointing 2025 squad, fans are concerned that this season will just be more of the same.

Well, here are some bold predictions for individual players and the team, that, while they may appear unattainable, are not out of the realm of possibility.

5 bold predictions for the 2026 Texas Rangers

Josh Smith will hit .300 this year

This may be the least bold prediction of the bunch, as Smith will assume the full-time role at second base following Marcus Semien's trade to the Mets. He is a contact hitter who, despite hitting in the .250s in his first two full major league seasons, hit .266 in the first half of last year and consistently showed the ability to hit to all fields.

Knowing that he'll be at second base every day will serve the versatile Smith well mentally, and he will be able to pace himself at the plate to the tune of a breakout .300 season.

Jack Leiter will flirt with a 20-win season

With a superb second half last year, Leiter proved that all the physical tools are in place to bust out in 2026. Coming off a 10-win season and an upward trajectory that is through the roof as he gets more and more confident on the mound, he is poised to hit a much bigger win total this season.

If the Ranger offense improves as is predicted by most metrics, he'll get better run support, and what were losses and no-decisions in 2025 will become wins in his second full campaign, taking solid ownership of the third spot in the rotation.

Joc Pederson will rebound and be an all-star DH

This is more than a "he can't do any worse" type of foretelling. Every Ranger fan knows what a disaster the 2025 season was for the prized free agent signing. We're looking for Joc to not only return to his normal .250 average and 20 homer form, but rebound in a way that no one is expecting in the upcoming year.

Nobody took last year's debacle harder than Pederson. It has been eating away at him this entire offseason, and he has too much pride in what he does on the field. He will want to prove he's worth that $37 million deal and have the best first half of his career as a 33-year-old.

The Rangers will win 90 games in 2026

Hear us out on this one. As great as Bruce Bochy was for this team, the first ballot Hall of Fame manager had lost his edge last season. He was just driving the bus and letting the players ride on their coattails of the monumental 2023 World Series championship.

With the core of that team now taken apart, new skipper Skip Schumaker has his own block of clay to shape in a completely new form. He is inheriting a team that was headed for 90 wins last season before late injuries and poor hitting ultimately derailed the season. Schumaker will hold this group accountable and bring a new energy to Globe Life Field in the form of 90 wins.

A big fish free agent will be added at the deadline

Last season, there was ambiguity regarding whether the Rangers would be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. This season, there will be no doubt that the organization will be eating as they vie for the AL West pennant.

Davis and Young will be sitting on plenty of dry gun powder at the deadline that will allow them to bring in either a big-time closer or a high-priced bat for the stretch run. They will be one piece away from being a serious contender at the deadline, and Young will be given a hefty allowance to make his creation whole.