Texas Rangers news: Early 2026 preview, post-Semien plans, offseason outlook

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, the Texas Rangers are top of the news cycle in Major League Baseball after a handful of stunning moves which most recently included trading Marcus Semien to Queens.

On one hand, the Rangers appear to have their hands tied behind their back with spending limitations set by ownership going into the offseason but they don't seem to be too worried about it. It's business as usual and they plan to be competitive again in 2026.

Thanks to comments from the front office made after the Semien-Brandon Nimmo trade, we are getting at least somewhat of a look how the Rangers deploy their team in 2026 and what their next focus will be this winter.

Nimmo "likely" to play RF, but could move around the outfield

Nimmo was the Mets in 2011 and has spent the entirety of his 10-year career with the organization after signing a long-term deal prior to the 2023 season.

The 32-year-old outfielder has the capability to play in all three spots but has spent the majority of his career as a centerfielder. But with Texas's open spot being right field, following the departure of Adolis Garcia, it likely means Nimmo will fill that role.

General Manager Ross Fenstermaker told MLB.com that the Rangers aren't totally committed to that as Nimmo has only played 93 games in right field. Given that he could see Nimmo move around the outfield based on need.

“[Nimmo is] a left-handed bat, it's platoon neutral, and he obviously is a complete player. He's been one of, in my opinion, the more underrated players in this game. He’s just a really good, complete, all-around player. He’s somebody that wants to win championships. He fits really well into the fabric of our roster and what we're ultimately trying to accomplish.”

Plans to fill 2B hole left by Semien?

This has been touched on a handful of times on our site with some saying Josh Smith is the heir apparent and others pointing toward the future with the 23-year-old rookie Cody Freeman taking the charge.

According to President of Baseball Operations Chris Young, both of those are realistic options worth pursuing. Others include the internal options of Ezequiel Duran, Sam Haggerty and Michael Helman.

“There is no pecking order,” Young told MLB.com. “Right now, it stands as a competition. I think competition for the roster is a wonderful thing. Josh Smith, Zeke Duran, Cody Freeman, Sam Haggerty, Michael Hellman all can play second base. I think it's certainly wide open. These guys all have opportunities to come into camp hungry and to win a job.”

Young did however, briefly touch on that Texas has the abilty to look externally for a second baseman. While he didn't name any interested targets, it could be Luis Arraez.

Offseason plans shift to other pressing needs

Now that Texas quicker than some thought, filled the outfield gap left by Garcia in one weekend, the focus shifts to the rest of the roster.

According to Dallas Morning News' Shawn McFarland, Young acknowledged that the outfield is set and the rest of the plans this winter include addressing second base, catcher, adding another starter and rebuilding the bullpen.

While there were no specifics given, it could be seen as a positive sign that they aren't plainly just assuming they all have all the answers internally. After all, it has been repeated several times this offseason that this is not a rebuild, rather a retooling.