8 former Texas Rangers still without a job heading toward spring training in 2024

Several Texas Rangers alumni are still unemployed ahead of the 2024 spring training.

Sep 26, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) clebrates after
Sep 26, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) clebrates after / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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The World Champion Texas Rangers will head into the 2024 season with the majority of their roster intact. In fact, every offensive position other than DH should be filled by a returning starter. The pitching staff will have some new arms in the mix but will also remain somewhat the same as last season as well. That continuity with the big league roster, coupled with a farm system that still ranks as one of the league's best, and there is plenty of room for optimism in Arlington.

Here are former Texas Rangers players that are still free agents

Even with all of the returning players to the roster, several former Rangers are still looking for employment this year. Some of those were on last season's championship team, and others haven't called Arlington home for several years now.

The list includes a former Cy Young winner along with multiple players with All-Star Game appearances. There is also the former top prospect in the organization, a longtime fan favorite, and several who will be receiving World Series rings this summer for their efforts with the club last season. Without further ado, let's dive into some former Rangers who are still looking for a team to call home this season.

Jordan Montgomery

It has been well documented that one of the Rangers top targets this offseason was going to be Jordan Montgomery. Unfortunately, that signing hasn't happened just yet. Most of the blame for not signing the big lefty to this point has been cast on the uncertainty with the Bally TV deal and what the long-term effects will be on the organization from a financial standpoint. It should also be pointed out, that Montgomery is a Boras Corp client and is no doubt asking for a massive deal in terms of both money and the length of the contract.

After being acquired via trade at the deadline last summer with the St Louis Cardinals (kind of ironic that they ultimately helped the Rangers get that elusive first World Series title), Montgomery was nails for the club both to finish the regular season as well as in the month-long playoff run. Bringing him back makes sense if the contract can be stomached by the Rangers, but to this point that hasn't been the case. Time will tell where Montgomery will land this year, but hopefully, it will be back in Arlington.

Elvis Andrus

Sporting one of the best smiles in all of baseball, and the game to back it up, Elvis Andrus was and still is adored by Rangers fans. It was hard to watch him go to the Oakland A's before the 2021 season, but it was a move that was best for both parties. After a run of 12 seasons as the team's shortstop and two trips to the World Series, it was time to part ways. Part of the trade package that the Rangers received in return for Andrus was All-Star catcher Jonah Heim. Andrus has played the last season and a half for the Chicago White Sox. At 35 years old, his time in the major leagues is dwindling, but Elvis can still play and would be a good fit for a contender needing some leadership and depth, or perhaps a young team looking for a mentor to some youngsters.

Jurickson Profar

Many baseball experts had Jurickson Profar as the number one ranked prospect in all of baseball way back in 2012. Needless to say, the switch-hitting middle infielder at the time, has not lived up to those high expectations. He is a solid player, but not what one would expect from someone with so much hype associated with him. Finally, in December 2018, the Rangers parted with Profar in a three-team trade with Oakland and Tampa Bay. The Rangers still have Brock Burke who was acquired in the deal. Profar has spent the last few seasons mainly with the San Diego Padres along with a short stint in Colorado. It was rumored that he might rejoin the Rangers before last season as the team was looking for a left fielder, but with prospects Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford fighting their way to Arlington that ship has surely sailed.

Robbie Grossman

The 34-year-old veteran, Robbie Grossman, had played for five different big league clubs before signing a one-year contract with the Rangers before last season. While his numbers weren't off the charts, he played a big role for the team in getting that first World Series title. Grossman is not the best defender, but he does give his team a quality at-bat every time he steps into the box. There might not be room on the current Rangers club for Grossman to rejoin them, but wherever he ends up will be getting a quality teammate and a hard-nosed baseball player. Grossman plays the game the right way, and it was a pleasure having him in Arlington last season.

Kole Calhoun

Another hard-nosed outfielder who played only one season with the Rangers and is looking for a job in 2024 is Kole Calhoun. After spending the first part of his career with the Angels and then three years with the Diamondbacks, the Rangers signed Calhoun to a one-year deal prior to the 2022 season. With the signings of Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, and Jon Gray that same offseason, Calhoun was kind of an afterthought for Ranges fans. Unfortunately, for Calhoun, he proceeded to struggle in 2022 and posted the worst numbers of his career. Some of it was due to injury, and some was just being off at the plate. He finished the regular season with Cleveland last year so it will be interesting where he ends up landing this season.

Brad Miller

In his first nine MLB seasons, with six different teams, Brad Miller had a 104 OPS+. Over the last two years in Arlington, he had a 67 and 83 OPS+ respectively. There were some injuries along the way for Miller, but overall, it was a disappointing time for the veteran. Despite only seeing action in 27 games last season, his leadership in the clubhouse was felt. He remained positive and was one of the biggest cheerleaders for the guys as they battled down the stretch and into the postseason. One fun fact is that even though Miller only hit eight total home runs in a Rangers uniform over the past two seasons, he did manage to hit one on both opening days. Perhaps Chris Young could sign him for a one-day contract and see if he could get the hat trick this year and go three for three.

Jesse Chavez

One guy that players of Immaculate Grind are sure to lean on is Jesse Chavez. He has played for nine different MLB teams and was most recently with the Atlanta Braves. Chavez spent part of the 2018 season with the Rangers before being traded to the Chicago Cubs at the deadline. He would find his way back to Arlington the very next season as he signed a two-year contract with the Rangers. At 40 years old, Chavez is getting long in the tooth, but in 34 2/3 innings of work last year he posted a 1.56 ERA with a 1.096 WHIP. Needless to say, if Chavez is still wanting to pitch, he should be able to find a place to do so in 2024.

Corey Kluber

Remember that one inning to start the 2020 season that Corey Kluber threw for the Rangers? Sadly, that was the only inning that Rangers fans would see the two-time Cy Young winner throw in a Texas uniform. A shoulder injury would keep Kluber on the shelf for the rest of the season and the team would pass on its $18M club option for 2021 because of the uncertainty with the injury. It was difficult to have Kluber for such a short time, but the salt in the wound is that the team had to trade Emanual Clase as part of the package to get him. Every time Clase records a save for the Guardians, Rangers fans shed a small tear.

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