True or False: Rangers need 3 things to happen to contend for the AL West title

Numerous factors must align for any team to win its division, whether it be reasonably good team health, solid years from key contributors, or an unexpected breakout season from a young player.

The 2026 Texas Rangers are no different. And with the team trimming payroll, some things are absolutely true and need to occur, while others are being overblown and are false heading into the new season.

Here are some of the true/false statements that may define the Rangers' success this year as they chase another pennant.

Jacob deGrom has to make at least 30 starts again.

The flame-throwing right-hander from Deland, Florida, was named the Players Comeback Player of the Year after a remarkable 2025 that saw him make an even 30 starts and turn in a 12-8 record.

DeGrom registered 172.2 innings pitched with a 2.97 ERA, 185 strikeouts, and a 0.92 WHIP. He led the way as the staff set a franchise record while leading MLB with a 3.47 team ERA.

But with the continued emergence of first-round pick Jack Leiter, Nathan Eovaldi likely to suffer fewer injuries, and pitching more than 130 innings as he did in 2025, deGrom doesn't have to carry the load this season.

Jacob Latz is also poised to move into the fourth spot to add more depth to the rotation. All these factors lead us to believe that if deGrom can avoid serious setbacks and hit 25 starts, the staff should be fine. The Rangers still need to be wary of deGrom's pitch count and manage his workload accordingly.

FALSE

Corey Seager needs to play in 140 games at an MVP-level

Seager has played at least 145 games only three times in 10 full seasons. In each of those instances, he has turned in MVP-caliber years while playing Gold Glove-level shortstop.

In the 2023 World Series winning season, Seager would have won the AL MVP if Shohei Ohtani hadn't had an otherworldly campaign of his own.

After his injury-plagued 2025 season, it has never been clearer that the Rangers' offense goes as Seager goes. He is due for a 40-home run, 100 RBI season, hitting out of the three hole. It is high time for the all-star to earn his hefty salary and anchor the lineup once again.

TRUE

The Rangers need a true closer before they break camp in late April

Last season, the Rangers went through a litany of inconsistent closers before settling on the now-departed Shawn Armstrong.

Chris Young, Skip Schumaker, and Ranger fans know that they can not afford to roll the dice without a proven closer again in 2026.

Unfortunately, the organization has sat on the sidelines this offseason while true closers like Pete Fairbanks, Edwin Diaz, and Kenley Jansen have already signed elsewhere. Free agent Danny Coloumbe is still available and could be had cheaply, but he is not a bona fide slam-the-door kind of hurler.

The Rangers were fortunate not to have more blown saves than they did in 2025, given the instability of the back end of the bullpen. They need to shore up their end-of-game situation if they plan on holding on to leads late and challenging for the AL West banner.

TRUE