Rangers should keep a close eye on these upcoming team options

The Texas Rangers barely missed the postseason this year, getting eliminated on the last day of the regular season. However, president of baseball operations Chris Young still needs to make major changes to the roster to make the club competitive in 2027.

The only reason the Rangers stayed in the postseason race all season is that they were in the historically bad American League West. The Houston Astros won the division with an 81-81 record, the worst of any playoff team in history.

Texas should obviously look to the free-agent market to improve its roster ahead of the 2027 season. There are plenty of players set to hit the free-agent market that the Rangers should target. Several others could be available if they or their teams decline their options.

Rangers should keep a close eye on these upcoming club options

Baltimore Orioles OF Luis Robert Jr.

The Orioles will most likely decline Robert's $20 million club option for the 2027 season and pay him a $2 million buyout. The Orioles claimed the former White Sox outfielder off waivers from the New York Mets in late August.

Robert was once considered one of the game's top outfielders. He is no longer viewed the same way. This past season, Robert posted a poor .707 OPS with 11 home runs and 26 RBI over 61 games. He has struggled to stay healthy over the past several years.

The Rangers should still be interested in Robert because he will likely be cheap and willing to sign a one-year "prove-it" deal. Texas could use a right-handed-hitting outfielder, and Robert slashed a decent .213/.280/.462 with five home runs and nine RBI against southpaws this year. He is also typically a strong defender with a Gold Glove in 2020 on his resume.

While he may never repeat his 38-homer campaign from 2023, he could be worth a shot as a platoon parnter for Evan Carter in center.

Tampa Bay Rays RHP Drew Rasmussen

The Rays will most likely exercise Rasmussen's $20 million option. But because that's a lot of money for a small-market team like Tampa Bay to pay for one player, the Rays might trade him after exercising the option.

If the Rays surprisingly decline Rasmussen's option, the Rangers should be very interested in signing the 31-year-old right-hander. He posted a strong 2.67 ERA with 174 strikeouts over 172 innings during the regular season. He has had a strong postseason so far, allowing just three baserunners while striking out 10 over eight scoreless innings against the New York Yankees in ALDS Game 1, and surrendering two runs over six innings with seven strikeouts against the Cleveland Guardians in ALCS Game 1.

Kansas City Royals RHP Carlos Estévez

Estévez made just one appearance this season due to multiple injuries. Because Estévez missed nearly the whole season, the Royals will likely decline his $13 million club option.

The Rangers should attempt to sign Estévez this offseason. In 2025, he posted a stellar 2.45 ERA with 54 strikeouts and an MLB-best 42 saves. He is a two-time All-Star with 10 years of MLB experience.

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