The Texas Rangers are making bold moves this offseason, and it’s sparking some serious debate among fans and analysts alike. But here’s where it gets controversial: after non-tendering All-Star catcher Jonah Heim, the Rangers have signed Danny Jansen to a two-year, $14.5 million deal, betting big on his right-handed power to ignite their lineup. And this is the part most people miss—while Jansen’s bat showed promise late last season with Milwaukee, his career .220 average raises questions about consistency. Still, Texas sees him as a stabilizing force behind the plate, especially after his strong finish with a .254/.346/.433 slash line down the stretch.
But the Rangers didn’t stop there. They’ve also added left-hander Tyler Alexander and right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz on one-year deals, addressing their pitching depth after losing key arms like Merrill Kelly and Tyler Mahle to free agency. Alexander, a versatile pitcher who can start or relieve, logged 97⅔ innings last season with a 4.98 ERA, while Diaz, a former closer, is coming off a rough 2025 campaign where his fastball velocity dipped and his slider lost its bite. Here’s the kicker: Diaz’s career ERA is a solid 3.38, but his 8.15 ERA last season has many wondering if he can bounce back.
New manager Skip Schumaker has his work cut out for him as the Rangers aim to rebound from a .500 season and return to playoff contention. The addition of Brandon Nimmo in a trade for Marcus Semien—a player they’d signed to a seven-year deal—shows Texas is all-in on reshaping their roster. But with Corey Seager drawing trade interest and no deal close, the Rangers’ lineup could still see more changes.
And this is the part most people miss: While Texas pieced together one of baseball’s best bullpens last season without breaking the bank, the 2026 version relies heavily on unproven arms like Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker, and a returning Cody Bradford. Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi anchor the rotation, but can the younger pitchers step up? It’s a risky strategy, but one that could pay off if everything clicks.
So, here’s the big question: Are the Rangers’ offseason moves enough to propel them back into contention, or are they taking too many gambles? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to heat up as the season approaches!
