Texas Rangers: Ranking the top 7 offseason signings

#3 Will Smith - Texas Rangers relief pitcher

Much like the way the Rangers went about addressing the left field position, they also attacked the bullpen by signing a handful of veteran relievers this offseason. One of those guys was the late addition of the 33-year-old (34 next month) lefty, Will Smith.

Outside of his rookie season in 2012 with the Kansas City Royals, Smith has been a relief pitcher. After seeing action in multiple roles out of the pen, Smith became the primary closer for the San Francisco Giants in 2019 where he saved 34 games. The manager of that Giants team? None other than, Bruce Bochy. Then in 2021 Smith saved 37 games for the World Series champion Atlanta Braves. He was also on the Astros' championship team last season as well.

The Rangers signed a pitcher that had been in tough situations before and had handled them well. Like any relief pitcher in the major leagues, he has had his ups and downs, but nothing is new to him and no moment too big. Those attributes would be tested this season, as he went from a guy in the Rangers' bullpen, to THE guy in the Rangers' bullpen.

As pitcher after pitcher faltered out of the pen, Smith was quickly elevated too closer and has performed admirably. In 23 games and 23 innings pitched, Smith is 1-2, has 11 saves, 27 strikeouts, seven walks, 2.74 ERA, and a 0.826 WHIP. There is still work to be done to the Rangers bullpen, but with Smith providing the stability at the backend, things have been much better than they could have been.