Rangers arbitration predictions: 2 extension candidates and 1 player on the non-tender chopping block

MLB Trade Rumors revealed its arbitration projections for all 30 MLB teams last Friday. Ten Texas Rangers players were listed.

MLB Trade Rumors' Rangers arbitration projections

• Left-handed starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore (5.000): $8.7 million
• First baseman Jake Burger (4.127): $6.9 million
• Utilityman Ezequiel Durán (4.053): $4 million
• Third Baseman Josh Jung (4.027): $5.2 million
• Catcher Logan O’Hoppe (3.171): $3.1 million
• Left-handed pitcher Cody Bradford (3.086): $1.3 million
• Left-handed reliever Robert Garcia (3.086): $1.1 million
• Outfielder Wyatt Langford (3.000): $3.3 million
• Outfielder Evan Carter (2.170): $1.7 million
• Left-handed closer Jacob Latz (2.170): $3 million

Of those 10 players, two are obvious extension candidates, and one should be on the non-tender chopping block.

Wyatt Langford, Jacob Latz are Rangers extension candidates

The Rangers should strongly consider extending Langford and Latz.

Langford is just 24 and under team control through the 2029 season. The Rangers might not want to sign Langford long-term because of his history of hamstring injuries and his late-season regression, but the club should at least consider offering the outfielder an extension.

Despite having a season full of injuries and inconsistency, Langford still posted a solid 2.7 fWAR and 115 wRC+ with 17 home runs, 44 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. Since making his MLB debut in 2024, Langford has accumulated 9.9 fWAR, 55 home runs, 180 RBI, and 56 stolen bases over 378 games.

Latz is under team control through the 2030 season. He is already 30, so Texas may not want to extend him. However, the team should still consider signing the southpaw for an extra year or two while buying out the rest of his arbitration seasons.

Latz battled through injuries for much of his career but has been mostly healthy over the past couple of seasons. He became the Rangers' full-time closer this year and had his best season, posting a 2.13 ERA, 30 saves, and 83 strikeouts over 72 innings. He was the Rangers' lone representative in this year's All-Star Game.

Rangers' Jake Burger is on the non-tender chopping block

The Rangers have Burger under team control through the 2028 season. He is coming off an OK season, hitting .228/.302/.421 with 28 home runs while playing solid first base defense.

Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young wants the Rangers to get younger and more athletic. Unfortunately, that could mean Burger's time with the Rangers is nearing an end. He is 30 years old, and most wouldn't describe him as athletic.

The Rangers might try to trade Burger in the offseason. If the Rangers believe they cannot trade Burger for a package they like, they could consider not tendering him.

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