Ranking Rangers most likely free agent targets based on Chris Young’s history

President of baseball operations, Chris Young, has had two distinctive approaches to free agency since he began his tenure in December 2020. There was the pre-World Series Young, who was given an enormous budget by Ray Davis and the ownership group to go out and make the Texas Rangers relevant again.

That Young went out and signed big-name players like Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Corey Seager, and Marcus Semien. The result was the organization's first championship in 2023. In the three years that have followed, Young has been forced to get more creative as Davis has reined in the spending spree and tried to make a go of it with a "big three" ticket of deGrom, Eovaldi, and Seager.

That approach has delivered zero postseason appearances over the last three seasons. It has also ushered in a series of middle-tier free agents to fill the holes in the bullpen and a few bats to supplement cornerstones sluggers Seager and Wyatt Langford.

We expect more of the same over the winter, as both Davis and Young have made it clear that the payroll is going to stick right where it has been over the last several years. With that in mind, here are the players we think Young will target in free agency based on what is available to spend and who the team will need to start in 2027.

The 4 most likely Rangers free agent targets based on Chris Young's history, from most likely to least

1. JoJo Romero - LHP

It has become an annual rite of winter for Young and the Rangers to piece together a bullpen that can support an aging starting staff. Over the last few seasons, he has brought in left-handed relievers like Tyler Alexander, Jalen Beeks, and Robert Garcia.

This year, we're looking at the fiery southpaw who just won a ring with the Brewers. JoJo Romero was nails in the postseason with a 1.13 ERA and a 0.50 WHIP, with 11 strikeouts over 8 innings pitched.

Romero is projected to cost around $6 to $8 million per year on a multi-year deal in 2027 free agency, but Young's modus operandi is to sign middle relievers to one-year deals, meaning he could be had at a reasonable price if Alexander and Beeks are not re-signed. He would be an upgrade over both of them.

2. Daulton Varsho - CF

Young has made it clear that center field will be a priority this offseason after Evan Carter underwent major hip surgery to repair a torn labrum. He will not be available at the start of the season.

Daulton Varsho was a trade deadline bust after signing with the Astros in August. Former GM and insider with The Athletic, Jim Bowden, believes he will sign a one-year deal in the neighborhood of $8 million as he looks to rebound from a poor 2026.

Young loves left-handed hitting outfielders with a little bit of pop (Joc Pederson, Brandon Nimmo). Varsho, 30, has the ability to be a 20-homer guy, but his once-vaunted defense has declined in recent years. We would prefer to see an in-house replacement for Carter like upstart Cam Cauley, or shifting Langford over as a stopgap measure.

3. Jonathan Loáisiga - RHP

The Rangers and Young found a useful combination of right-hander Jakob Junis and Jacob Latz last season. Junis is a free agent and may need to be replaced if they cannot bring him back. Loasiga enjoyed a bounce-back 2026 campaign with the Diamondbacks, notching a 2.42 ERA over 67 innings.

The hard-throwing righty uses a plus, hard sinker and, like Junis, looks to pitch to weak contact and ground balls over going for big strikeout numbers. We all saw how effective the righty/lefty combo of Junis and Latz was last year, and Loasiga could provide an 8th-inning answer to set up Latz to slam the door.

He is looking for a two-year deal between $6.5 million and $12 million. If Young were able to swing a single year, it would cost around $10 million to $12 million.

4. Adrain Morejon - LHP

Morejon is one of the prizes of an unusually thin 2026 free agent class. The stout, 6-foot, 225-pound lefty reliever has established himself as one of the top bullpen arms in the league over the last three seasons. Last year with the Padres, he put up a stellar season with a 2.83 ERA over 86 innings. He is also a big strikeout guy, boasting an 11.2 K per 9-inning ratio.

Young and the Rangers would find themselves in a bidding war for the premier southpaw reliever. He already has a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer on the table from the Padres, but he will likely look for three years at around $70 million or 4 years at $75-80 million.

It could be a bridge too far for the frugal Rangers, but he would fill a need and be a huge boost to what was a ragtag group of relievers in 2026, in front of closer Jacob Latz. We'd be surprised if Young corrals him.

Young and the Rangers will almost certainly sign a few new bullpen arms this winter. How much he will be able to spend may limit the realistic options in to start 2027.

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