more chaotic because the Winter Meetings were rapidly approaching. So let’s get ahead of the impending flood of deals and signings and advise a few elite teams on how to run their businesses before it’s too late.
This time up, it’s the reigning-champion Texas Rangers and general manager Chris Young, who will nod dismissively when confronted with our unsolicited advice. In each instance, we strive to be realistic in addressing each team and operate under the awareness that teams can’t force players to sign with them or force other teams to trade with them. So consider these to be “politely recommended hypotheticals” as opposed to “unyielding marching orders.”
Anyhow, assume the position, Rangers, and be crushed under the weight of our counsel. Do these things now.
1. Go for Shohei Ohtani
The Rangers are quite obviously both, a, willing spenders and, b, in win-now mode. As well, they have a vacancy at DH given that incumbent Mitch Garver is a free agent. Ohtani is likely going to command the largest contract in MLB history, but, again, the Rangers have demonstrated a willingness to pay the going rates for superstars. Adding Ohtani’s best-in-class power bat to an already relentless lineup – one that includes the likes of Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Adolis García, and Evan Carter – would, without exaggeration, give the 2024 Rangers a shot at having one of the best offenses of all-time. Ohtani’s return to the mound in 2025 once he’s recovered from his elbow procedure would fit nicely with the Rangers’ rotation needs. That’s because Max Scherzer and Andrew Heaney are both slated for free agency after the 2024 season.
As for Ohtani, he’s cited winning as a key motivator for selecting his next team, and the Rangers can of course point to the recently acquired World Series trophy as evidence of their capacities on this front. On the other side of that, if you’re the Rangers, then there’s no better way to keep up fan enthusiasm even after the ultimate goal has been reached than by signing the best and most popular baseball player in the world.
Obviously, the competition for Ohtani’s services will be intense with teams like the Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox, and Giants all having plausible designs on him, but the Rangers check all the necessary boxes. They should be all-in on his pursuit.
2. Address the bullpen
Broadly speaking, the Rangers wound up winning the belt and the title despite and not because of their relief corps. During the 2023 season, the Rangers ranked 24th in MLB in bullpen ERA and 22nd in bullpen FIP (What’s this?). While adding Aroldis Chapman and Chris Stratton leading up the trade deadline helped matters somewhat it didn’t do so to any great extent. During their playoff run to the title, manager Bruce Bochy leaned heavily upon José Leclerc and Josh Sborz in part because no one else seemed especially reliable. They’ll need improvements for 2024.
Speaking of which, the Rangers should be in on free-agent closer Josh Hader, who got back to something close to peak dominance in 2023 for the Padres. Jordan Hicks is another hard-throwing possibility. He found a higher level after making some mid-season adjustments with the Cardinals, and the Rangers discussed including him in the Jordan Montgomery trade leading up to the deadline. Even if the Rangers land on some internal solutions for the bullpen moving forward, a high-leverage arm from outside the organization is probably going to be a necessary move for them.
3. Bring back Jordan Montgomery
Even with a powerhouse offense that figures to provide plenty of cushion, Texas will probably need to fortify the rotation. Fallen ace Jacob deGrom figures to return from Tommy John surgery by August, but the bulk of the season will have passed by then. As well, Martín Pérez is presently a free agent. Even if they bring back Pérez, though, he’d likely fill a swingman role, which means they still need a solid presence in the rotation. Considering that Nathan Eovaldi will always be a bit of an injury risk, it’s even more necessary.
Thisleads us to Montgomery, who, as previously noted, was traded to the Rangers in a last-minute transaction with St. Louis. Prior to and during the trade, Monty was a highly valued starter. In 188 2/3 innings, he pitched to a 3.20 ERA with a 3.46 K/BB ratio. Throughout his career, Monty had an ERA+ of 116 over portions of seven big-league seasons. The success he and the team experienced during that run sets the stage for a comeback. He was an important part of the Rangers’ postseason rotation. If Montgomery signs with the Rangers, there won’t be a loss of a draft pick because he was not eligible for the qualifying offer due to his in-season trade. He’s not at the top of the starting free-agent class.
