Rangers free-agent alternatives as qualifying offer list is revealed

When looking at this offseason's free agents, catcher Ryan Jeffers and left-hander Adrian Morejon appear to be good fits for the Texas Rangers. Texas has lacked a strong-hitting catcher over the past few seasons, and signing Morejon would give the Rangers an elite setup man behind All-Star closer Jacob Latz.

However, both Jeffers and Morejon received qualifying offers this offseason, making it more complicated for Texas to sign them. If they accept the $23.15 million QO, the Rangers won't even have a chance to acquire them. If they decline the offer, which is likely, the Rangers would lose draft pick compensation by signing one of them. General manager Ross Fenstermaker's recent comments about building the farm system back up make it even less likely that Texas would be willing to give up a draft pick.

On the bright side, there are alternatives to signing Jeffers and Morejon that Texas should strongly consider pursuing this offseason if president of baseball operations Chris Young doesn't believe it's worth losing draft compensation to land one of the aforementioned players.

Rangers could sign Carson Kelly over Ryan Jeffers

Even if Jeffers hadn't received a QO, it might be a better idea to sign Kelly, 32. Kelly posted 4.3 fWAR over the past two seasons, just 0.4 less than Jeffers. Kelly is two years older than Jeffers but should be cheaper and would likely sign for fewer years, making it a shorter-term risk for Texas to sign him over Jeffers.

ESPN projects Kelly will sign a two-year, $17 million contract, which seems affordable for Texas. Last season, Kelly slashed .258/.336/.376 with 10 home runs and 58 RBI over 120 games. Kelly is also an elite blocker and solid framer behind the plate.

Sean Newcomb could be solid alternative to Adrian Morejon for Rangers

Morejon, 28, is set for a huge payday after posting a 2.83 ERA with 107 strikeouts over 86 innings this year. ESPN projects the southpaw will sign a four-year, $88 million contract, which is a hefty price to pay for a reliever, no matter how good he is.

Realistically, Morejon will likely demand a contract the Rangers can't afford, even if he didn't receive a QO from the San Diego Padres. Instead of pursuing Morejon, Texas can target left-handed reliever Sean Newcomb this offseason.

Newcomb, 33, recorded a 3.09 ERA with 84 strikeouts over 90 1/3 innings with the Chicago White Sox last season. In 2025, he posted a 2.73 ERA with 91 strikeouts over 92 1/3 innings with the Boston Red Sox and the Athletics.

Spotrac predicts Newcomb will receive a two-year deal worth roughly $14 million this offseason. If that's his market, the Rangers should pursue the left-hander.

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