Rangers reportedly hope to reunite with 2 impending free agent pitchers

Two key arms could stay put in Arlington if past history can impact current value.

While speaking to the media last week, Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young expressed interest in bringing back impending free agent starting pitchers Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney.

“We can't have enough pitching,” Young said.“That's the theme. As far as Evo and Andrew go, those are priorities for us. We love those guys. They helped us win a World Series. We would love to bring those guys back, and we're going to explore every way we can to make that happen.”

Eovaldi and Heaney provided over 300 cumulative innings in 2024. Perhaps more importantly, they were key parts of Texas’ 2023 World Series run. Each tossed more than five innings in the Fall Classic and helped give a high-powered offense enough space to outpace the frisky Arizona Diamondbacks.

Rangers reportedly hope to reunite with 2 impending free agent pitchers

Despite the pitchers’ history with Texas, it is not clear if Young and the team’s ownership will fully invest in starting pitching this offseason with Jacob deGrom, Tyler Mahle, Jon Gray, Cody Bradford, Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter all potentially set to make an impact next spring.

Notably, relievers Kirby Yates, David Robertson and José Leclerc are also going to be free agents, meaning the front office will have to decide how they wish to proceed both financially and in terms of strategy.

“I'll meet with and ownership in the coming weeks, and we'll outline where we are, what the expectation is, what the forecast is,” Young said. “Obviously, there is a level of uncertainty with the situation. There was last year, but there are no excuses. There are teams that are winning with less.”

The 2024 Rangers disappointed fans on multiple levels and their holistic pitching staff was not an exception. Texas starters were 21st in ERA and their bullpen posted the fifth worst ERA in baseball.

Both sections will have to be better in 2025, and while Young may want to bring back Eovaldi and Heaney, it would still not be entirely surprising to see the front office opt for more financially friendly options and trades that could secure the bullpen instead.