Trying to make sense of the Texas Rangers' offseason after flurry of moves

Having a team win the World Series and then immediately become non-contenders is not something we see too often in today's game. The Texas Rangers have managed to do just that in the span of a single calendar year, winning the 2023 World Series just to finish the 2024 season six games under .500.

Entering the 2024-25 offseason, the Rangers had more roster holes to fill than most other teams in the league. Not only that, but they had an immense amount of pressure riding on their shoulders. Organizations can't go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows as quickly as Texas has without their fans getting antsy.

Amidst quite a bit of uncertainty surrounding their TV deal for the 2025 season, the Rangers haven't come out and said that they're going to have much money to work this winter, but they've let their actions do the talking. Let's take a look at their biggest roster moves of the offseason and determine how they've done in shoring up that roster.

Breaking down the Rangers' offseason after flurry of moves

Addressing the bullpen

Each of Kirby Yates, David Robertson, Jose Leclerc, Jose Urena and Andrew Chafin hit the open market and the Rangers' 2025 bullpen looked extremely weak because of it. There were no less than four spots up for grabs once you factor in the internal replacements Texas already had on hand.

The Rangers have signed right-handers Jacob Webb and Shawn Armstrong to one-year contracts, as well as a single-year pact with left-hander Hoby Milner. Robert Garcia was also acquired in a one-for-one swap with the Washington Nationals in exchange for first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.

Chris Young understood the assignment when it came to addressing the bullpen. Even still, there appears to be at least one more spot available for an external addition. Yates and Robertson have both been connected to a reunion with the Rangers at various points this offseason, so bringing either of them back would be the cherry on top for this bullpen overhaul.

Bringing the ace back

Nathan Eovaldi has had two seasons atop the Rangers rotation and they've been two of the strongest he's had in his 13-year career. The right-hander joined the long list of relievers hitting the open market this offseason, but the Rangers wasted no time bringing him back into the fold.

Eovaldi, 34, was re-signed to a three-year contract that will see him continue as the staff ace. He has been the face of consistency over the past six years or so, and Texas is going to need him to remain that way for the foreseeable future. He's had H/9 in the 7.0 range in each of the past two years, which is the lowest it's ever been in his career, so it's clear that his fit with Texas is one that's meant to be.

Adding a backup catcher

Jonah Heim will be back atop the depth chart at catcher for the Rangers in 2025, but the club was without a true backup heading into the offseason. Carson Kelly has signed with the Cubs, Andrew Knizner is a free agent, and Sam Huff was just recently designated for assignment. Clearly, external help was needed.

Texas found their man, bringing aboard 34-year-old backstop Kyle Higashioka into the mix. The eight-year veteran is coming off of the best offensive season of his career and was one of the most valuable catchers on the open market prior to his signing. He hit 17 home runs and posted a 101 OPS+ in just 84 games this past year on the Padres.

After Heim struggled at the plate in 2024, the Rangers needed a catcher who could hit just in case the 2023 All-Star's struggles continues. Higashioka is on the wrong side of 30, but he's got double-digit home run pop in his bat and is a well-respected veteran when it comes to his handling of pitching staffs.

Power, power and more power

The Rangers did an outstanding job at adding power to their lineup for the 2025 campaign and beyond. Just this past year, their DHs finished 28th in baseball in home runs and batting average, 29th in wRC+, and dead last in OBP and SLG.

On Dec. 11, the Rangers acquired Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins in exchange for a pair of infield prospects and a pitching prospect. Burger, 28, is coming off of a season in which he hit 29 home runs and drove in 76 runs through 137 games. He can play both infield corners and has a lot of raw power for the Rangers to lean on.

Speaking of raw power, the Rangers traded Lowe and immediately signed free agent Joc Pederson, who's got some of the most impressive light-tower power in the game today. In 2024, the 11-year veteran hit 23 home runs with a career-high .908 OPS and 151 OPS+. He does all of his damage against right-handed pitching and is completely unplayable against southpaws, but he hits the ball farther than anyone when he connects.

All in all, the Rangers' offseason has featured moves with a purpose as they look to return to relevancy in 2025.