3 Rangers players we'll be glad are gone in 2024 and 2 we wish stayed

The Rangers found an upgrade over Austin Hedges

Austin Hedges is lauded for his defensive skillset. It's what helped him to earn a $4 million contract this offseason with the Cleveland Guardians. But outside of his 2018 season with the San Diego Padres, Hedges has been a below-average hitter.

As a catcher, Hedges can get away with being a marginal hitter. More than any other position, catcher is one that will afford a player to ability to be an elite defender while also barely treading water at the plate. But Hedges needed a life guard to jump in and save him after posting a 27 OPS+ last season. Hedges was a trade deadline acquisition who only got into 16 games for Texas in 2024.

The Rangers, however, improved their backup catcher position this offseason after signing former St. Louis Cardinals backstop Andrew Knizner to a free-agent deal. Not only was Knizner a pupil of Yadier Molina, but he also posted a 92 OPS+ in 2023.

Parting with Robbie Grossman was a no-brainer after Evan Carter's emergence

Robbie Grossman is a fine platoon outfielder. The veteran, who's still a free agent, had great success against left-handed pitchers in 2023. Grossman posted a .953 OPS against southpaws with 15 extra-base hits and a .536 slugging percentage. But Grossman only hit .206/.304/.329 off right-handed hurlers, making him virtually unplayable once a left-handed starter exited the game.

The Rangers also have a highly-skilled, young outfielder in Evan Carter who might be the odds-on favorite to take home the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 2024. After the lighting the world on fire during the Rangers' World Series run last season, the 21-year-old has carved out an everyday role heading into the upcoming season and made Grossman expendable.