Complete list of Rangers 2026-27 free agents and their outlook

The agonizingly average 2026 Texas Rangers season has mercifully ended, and it is time to take a look at the roster's free agents and try to determine who Ray Davis and the ownership group will bring back and who they will let go.

This won't be a normal offseason, as there is an impending lockout if the owners and players cannot come to an agreement by December 1. With that in mind, it could affect how Davis and Chris Young approach this group while the 2027 season is still in flux.

There are some key contributors who are looking for new deals. Some will be priorities, while the rest may have to find work elsewhere. Here are the free agents and why they should or should not be back next season.

A complete list of the 2026-2027 Rangers unrestricted free agents listed by priority, top to bottom

Editor's note - Joc Pederson, Kyle Higashioka, and Jakob Junis all have mutual options for 2027. Most commonly, at least one side declines those options, but since there's a greater chance these guys may stick around, they will be discussed in a separate post.

Cal Quantrill - SP

No one — and we mean no one — could have foreseen just how good Cal Quantrill would be as a minor league free-agent signing in January of 2026. The Rangers selected his contract in mid-April, and he went to work. After spending the first half as a long reliever, he worked his way into the starting rotation in July and quickly became an indispensable part of the rotation.

Quantrill missed his last few starts with a left lat injury, but he proved himself in the 15 starts and 32 total appearances he made and was the team's most consistent pitcher in the second half. He will be the top priority for the organization and, assuming he returns to full health, deserves a short-term deal heading into 2027. He may even get a nice bump up in pay based on how he stepped up for the team.

Tyler Alexander - RP

Alexander, a 32-year-old journeyman lefty, provided some stability in middle relief. He pitched 73 innings over 75 appearances with a respectable 3.70 ERA. Outside of Quantrill, he was the most impactful player and will be looking for a new deal this winter. He can be had cheaply, so money will not be an issue.

He took over the role that had been occupied by Jalen Beeks early in the season until Beeks was injured and missed the rest of the season. He also held fast as the club's primary left-handed reliever while Robert Garcia rehabbed for most of 2026. He also worked as an opener, most often in tandem with Kumar Rocker in a pairing that was often successful. He isn't a must-get, but he proved that he is durable and came through in some leverage spots.

Nicky Lopez - Utility

Nicky Knocks came over from the Cubs in May and immediately forced his way into the middle infield rotation with clutch hits and a willingness to do whatever the team needed to scratch out a win. He came back down to earth over the final few months, but played terrific defense regardless of how he was performing at the plate.

It will be interesting to see how Young wants to approach his middle infield and utility players next season. Lopez, Ezequiel Duran, and Justin Foscue all played well, and Lopez's ability to play shortstop, second, and third in a pinch could elevate him behind Duran, who should win the utility Gold Glove.

Elias Diaz - C

We'll go ahead and give Diaz some love for coming in and handling the backstop spot after both Danny Jansen and Kyle Higashioka went down with long-term injuries. He hit the one and only grand slam for the team and played decent defense.

The Rangers dealt for Logan O'Hoppe at the deadline, and he looks to be the future at catcher for at least 2027. Jansen is still owed $8 million in 2027 with a mutual option for another $8 million in 2028, so there may not be room on the roster for Diaz, who will be 36 next season.

Jordan Montgomery - SP

The tough part with Montgomery will be trying to determine how he fits into the fold going into next season. He showed a willingness to work as a swingman, and that improved his odds of returning on a 1-year deal. Still, he is coming off surgery on his pitching arm and didn't establish himself as a starter.

The Rangers won't overlook Monty's value as an experienced left-hander with some newfound versatility. He showed flashes of the 2023 pitcher who was integral in the World Series, but that shouldn't determine whether Davis, Young, and the team bring him back. Money is not an issue with him, either.

Trevor Williams - SP/RP

Like Montgomery, Williams is a reclamation project who delivered a nice four-inning relief win down the stretch. Unfortunately, he didn't do much else during his short tenure with the team. He often went weeks without getting the call from the bullpen and will be way down in the bottom tier of priorities moving forward.

Jalen Beeks - RP

Beeks was on the verge of being DFA'd before he sustained a season-ending flexor tendon strain in his left arm. Beeks made close to $2 million for doing next to nothing last year, so it is hard to envision the club making much of an effort to bring back the southpaw. Before his injury, Beeks posted a 3.81 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP spanning 26 innings.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow