This reliever could be perfect fit for Rangers after dominating in the KBO

As the Texas Rangers attempt to reshape their pitching staff heading into the 2026 season, a former MLB reliever is attempting a comeback after spending the previous four seasons pitching overseas.

Cody Ponce, 31, a former second round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers is reportedly drawing serious interest from several big league organization's after dominating the KBO this previous season.

In much need of reinforcements, a pitcher like Ponce could be perfect for Texas, the only problem remains his rumored price tag of at least $30 million, or ideally $40+ million. Which is something that the Rangers are unlikely to accommodate.

Cody Ponce dominated the KBO in 2025

In 29 starts for the Hanwha Eagles, the right-hander went a staggering 17-1 with a 1.89 ERA, 252 strikeouts, 41 walks and a 0.95 WHIP in 180.2 innings of work. His 252 strikeouts were a KBO single-season record, including a single-game record 18 in May.

Ponce was orignially drafted by the Brewers in the 2015 Draft out of Cal State Poly. Milwaukee eventually traded him to Pittsburgh in 2019 for Jordan Lyles after a less than stellar first few professional seasons.

He made his MLB debut during the COVID-19 shortened season for the Pirates, appearing in five games and then again got a 15 game stretch in 2021 but struggled to the tune of a 7.04 ERA in which he surrendered 54 hits and 34 earned runs.

He then went to Japan and pitched for the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and was mediocre. It wasn't until his recent season in Korea where he started putting it all together again.

Is Ponce's reported price tag worth it for the Rangers?

Likely, no. The Rangers are experiencing a tight payroll with a lot of pieces still needed to be addressed. Alongside catcher, they need a second baseman, a starter and practically a full bullpen.

Given the Rangers current high-level contracts on the board and the impending four players still waiting to settle their arbitration cases, the payroll could be hovering around $165 million. This gives Texas around $35 to $55 million to fill anywhere from six to eight roster spots.

But he does posses skills that would make him a steal as a great backend rotation starter, which the Rangers need or a potential reliever, although he is eyeing a starter's workload. When he moved to Korea, Ponce became a brand new pitcher.

His 95 mph four-seam was two mph faster than during his tenure with Pittsburgh and added a splitter. It translated to the single-season strikeout number and a 12.6 K/9 rate.

The most recent pitcher to return to the states after time in the KBO was 31-year-old Erik Fedde, who received a two-year, $15 million deal from the Chicago White Sox in his return prior to the 2024 season.