Failed Rangers offseason signing announces retirement after 7 MLB seasons

Former Rangers outfielder David Dahl announces retirement

Former Rangers outfielder David Dahl, 31, announced his retirement from playing baseball via an X post last week.

“Baseball has been my life for as long as I can remember," Dahl wrote. "From being a kid in Alabama chasing a lifelong dream to stepping foot on a big-league field…after 13 seasons and several months to reflect on it, it’s officially time for the next chapter.  Thank you, baseball.”

Dahl signed a one-year, $2.7 million deal with the Texas Rangers in the 2020-21 offseason after the Colorado Rockies declined to offer the outfielder a contract at the non-tender deadline. The Rangers planned to use Dahl as their everyday left fielder, which ended up not working out. During the 2021 campaign with Texas, Dahl posted -0.8 bWAR and a .210/.247/.322 (55 OPS+) slash line with four homers and 18 RBI over 63 games. He missed about a month during that season due to a left rib cage contusion and was designated for assignment in early August.

While Dahl struggled with the Rangers, he had some solid offensive seasons with the Rockies. He made his MLB debut with Colorado in 2016, slashing .315/.359/.500 (113 OPS+) with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 63 games, then missed the 2017 season due to a stress reaction in his rib. He hit .273/.325/.534 (113 OPS+) with 16 home runs and 48 RBI over 77 games in 2018, and hit .301/.353/.524 (111 OPS+) with 15 home runs and 61 RBI in 2019. He made the NL All-Star team in 2019.

Dahl started to regress in 2020, when he posted -1.0 bWAR and a 20 OPS+ through 24 games. After his stint with Texas in 2021, Dahl found himself on an MLB roster again in 2023 with the San Diego Padres. He had just nine plate appearances with San Diego before joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024. He played in 19 games with Philadelphia that season, which ended up being the last of his MLB career.

Dahl wasn't a great defender, but he sure could hit at a high level when he was healthy.