Texas Rangers news: Day One of Winter Meetings, new hitting coach, MLB Draft Lottery

Day one of the Winter Meetings came to a close on Monday and featured Skip Schumaker's first MLB-wide press conference as the skipper for the Texas Rangers.

The main topics of conversations included how Texas will address their needs this offseason, position battles heading into spring training, the recent roster shake up and a few other surprises.

Here's everything to know about Day One of the Winter Meetings, what to expect for the rest of the week and a few more Rangers' realted news.

Texas Rangers Winter Meetings Day One Recap

Josh Smith frontrunner for to be every day 2B

As expected to be the case, the 28-year old Smith is going into spring training in March as the top contender to take over at second base. Schumaker noted that there were a lot of guys with a shot at the spot including Cody Freeman and Ezequiel Duran but he knows Smith has a big skillset and has a deep desire to "prove he's just not a first half player."

Schumaker wants Josh Jung to be 'feared again'

After a handful of seasons marred with injuries and offensive underperformance, Jung is coming into the 2026 season with his Rangers' future hanging in the balance. Schumaker's fix seems easy on paper, he wants Jung to be feared again like he was in 2023 when he was the AL's starting All-Star 3B.

"I want him to be feared once again," said Schumaker. "I don't want him to be something he's not. I want him to be the version that he was in 2023 and try not to tinker too much and try and be this player that he just isn't."

Brandon Nimmo's addition

President of Baseball Operations Chris Young joing MLB Network's broadcast coverage of the Winter Meetings to talk about the team's recent changes, including the trade that sent Semien to Queens in return for outfielder Brandon Nimmo.

CY said the team needed to shake things up a little bit going into the offseason after the last few years were less than amazing.

"It was a tough decision but we did feel like we had a need in the outfield and could backfill at second base internally," said Young. "We are excited about Brandon [Nimmo] and how he can complement us moving forward."

Wyatt Langford centerfielder?

With the acqusition of Nimmo, the outfield is complete but the positioning around the three positions are yet to be finalized. Nimmo has played majority of his career in center, with Evan Carter's young career being at center and Wyatt Langford being nominated for a Gold Glove in left field.

However, day one of the winter meetings revealed a surprising plan of Langford potentially being the Rangers' centerfielder.

Rangers finalize coaching staff with third hitting coach

The Rangers coaching staff is finally official after promoting the organization's minor league hitting coordinator Eric Dorton to the big league club. Dorton, 36, will join the hitting staff alongside Justin Viele and Alex Cintron.

Dorton has been with the Rangers for seven years in various roles and spent the last three seasons in his coordinator role. He will help Viele and Cintron attempt to revive the Rangers' offense that finished the 2025 season as one of the worst in MLB.

Rangers awaiting 2025 MLB Draft Lottery fate

The MLB Draft Lottery is taking place Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. CT on MLB Network. The Rangers currently hold the 11th best odds, 1.34 percent, at landing the first overall pick. While crazier things have happened it is more likely Texas lands somewhere around the early-to-mid-teens in the first round.