Is it too soon for the Texas Rangers to talk extension with Evan Carter?

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The big baseball news on Thursday was not a free agent that signed. It was not a trade that was made. It was news of an expected extension signed by a player who has yet to play a single major league game. The Brewers are closing in on signing top prospect Jackson Chourio to an eight-year extension with two option years tacked on at the end. The base of the contract is believed to be 8 years and 80 million. This is all for a 19-year-old center fielder who has not made his major league debut. The Brewers are being proactive and buying out his pre-arbitration years, his arbitration years, and then potentially four years of his free agency. They are making sure that their top prospect will be paid, happy, and stay in a Brewers uniform for much of the prime of his career.

Texas could entertain ideas of doing the same with Evan Carter. The major difference is that Carter has already made his debut. He came up in September and provided the spark Texas needed at that time. That continued throughout September and into the playoff run to the World Series. Texas could stand by and wait to see what their financial situation will be going forward. Texas could choose to act. It is a topic that warrants examining both sides of the argument and then discussing what Texas is likely to end up doing concerning Evan Carter.

Next: The reasons why Texas should sign Evan Carter to an extension

Why should Texas sign Evan Carter to an extension?

Evan Carter was an unheralded second-round pick back in 2020. He was so unknown that the pick was somewhat ridiculed by the MLB Network crew covering the draft that night. From the moment he stepped on the field finally in 2021, Carter has answered every question fans and experts had about him. He has been everything Texas could have hoped for when they drafted him.

Carter showed he can be a five-tool player at the major league level. All five tools were on display during his brief time in the majors in September and October. Carter had a .306 batting average in the regular season and a .300 batting average in postseason play. Carter hit six home runs combined between regular and postseason. Carter also set a major-league record with nine doubles during the postseason. Carter also had six stolen bases combined between regular and postseason play. He made several great plays out in left field and center field. He did all of this at age 21 in the heat of a pennant race and in the postseason.

Texas can show an appreciation and a long-term commitment to Evan Carter. The team is now led by Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. The next generation of the Texas Rangers will likely be led by Evan Carter, Wyatt Langford, Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker, and others. Texas would be sending the message to Carter that they are building this team's future around him. It would also indicate to younger players that if they play well the team will reward them.

The last but also best reason to extend Carter is it gives the team financial certainty with one of their best players. Texas can lay out what they will pay Carter yearly and then budget the rest of the team around that. Texas can avoid the often unpredictable arbitration process. Texas would have Carter locked down and know that he will be their left field or center fielder for the long term.

Next: Maybe Texas should wait on signing Carter to an extension

The reasons why Texas should hold off on giving Evan Carter an extension

Evan Carter is still just 21 years old. It appears he has a solid major league career in front of him. He also has had some health issues in the past. Texas is dealing with financial issues that have arisen from the potential loss of their Bally Sports contract. They need to be focused on using the financial resources they do have to improve the major league roster. They can sign Carter down the road when the financial situation is more stable.

They also do not know how good Carter is. 40 games is a small sample size when trying to decide. I am not saying to throw out what Carter did in 2023. He was a rookie and the scouting reports on him were likely very thin. The true test will be in the 2024 season when teams have a better idea of his strengths and weaknesses. He will have to find a way to navigate a 162-game schedule.

Texas will have a much better idea of how good Carter is after the 2024 season than they do now. I do not think he is a flash in the pan. There is also not an urgent need to extend him now. He will still have five years of control after the 2024 season. By next offseason they can look to possibly extend both Carter and Langford and develop a nucleus of the team for 2027 and beyond.

Next: What Texas will likely end up doing with Evan Carter.

What will Texas end up doing in regards to Evan Carter?

I do not think it is too early to talk extension with Carter. He showed the makings of a future All-Star type player. He is young enough now that he will still be developing into a better more mature player for the next several years. I also think that the Rangers have other needs that they need to focus on first.

Texas needs to add to the bullpen desperately. They likely need two to three bullpen arms to add to the depth of the pen. Jose Leclerc and Josh Sborz need legit arms that can help them from being overused in the 2024 season.

Chris Young will also be looking to add starting pitching. That could include bringing back Jordan Montgomery. It also could include possibly bringing back Martin Perez or adding someone like Michael Wacha. Texas showed in 2023 that a team can never have too much pitching.

Texas would likely address any potential Carter extension in Spring Training. They will have made all of their big offseason acquisitions by then and have a firm grasp on what their payroll will be for 2024. They can then sit down and talk numbers with Carter and his representation and see if they are interested in talking extension.

No matter what happens Carter will be here with Texas for at least six more seasons. He is going to grow up here and be part of this organization for a long time. Extension or no extension he is part of the future for Texas. The only thing signing that contract would indicate is they value him long-term and want him to help form the core of the next generation of Texas Rangers baseball.

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