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Texas Rangers Offseason 2023-2024


ztejas

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Random Rangers notes post winter meetings:

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2023/12/06/rangers-takeaways-from-winter-meetings-wyatt-langford-plans-an-al-west-mystery-and-more/

Quote

“I feel like we have certainty in terms of what we’re looking to do and I know that maybe a little bit different in terms of the speed at which we’ve operated compared to years past,” GM Chris Young said before zipping to the airport. “In years past, our team was vastly different. We’re at a different spot. We have a lot of core pieces returning. We’re in a great position. Now, there’s a level of patience required to continue to make good decisions.”

With that in mind, here are four other Rangers-related takeaways from the winter meetings:

1. Consider the Rule 5 draft Wednesday essentially a swap of pitchers. The Rangers lost right-handed reliever Justin Slaten (first to the New York Mets, who then traded him to Boston), but added right-hander Carson Coleman. Coleman might be a little more refined. He strikes hitters out at a slightly higher pace, walks fewer and has allowed only five homers in 98 professional innings.

Now, the downside: Coleman had Tommy John surgery last April (Rangers team doctor Keith Meister performed the procedure) and won’t be ready to start the year. Not sure when he will be ready. It’s OK. It buys the Rangers some time. Coleman can start the season on the 60-day IL, doesn’t count against the 40-man roster and can rehab at a leisurely pace. He need only be on the active roster for 90 days for the Rangers to hold on to him. It’s even possible that those 90 days could carry into 2025.

2. It certainly sounds like 2023 first-round pick Wyatt Langford is in the Rangers’ plans for 2024. With Mitch Garver likely out the door in free agency, the Rangers have DH at-bats open. Langford could get some at-bats at DH and also in the outfield, rotating some off time for Evan Carter, Leody Taveras and Adolis García.

“This Langford kid, he’s special,” manager Bruce Bochy told the MLB Network during the week. “Every step of the way, he just kept putting up those numbers. He’ll come into spring training. We’re going to stay open-minded.

“It’s going to be competitive. He’ll have a chance to make the club. It’s all performance-based. I don’t care how old they are. If we think they’re ready, then they’ll be on the team.”

3. The unsettled Bally/Diamond Sports TV saga cast a pall over the early part of the offseason, as well. The next big date in the reorganization case around the bankrupt regional sports network is Dec. 15 when a bankruptcy court judge could rule on Diamond’s reorganization plan.

The Rangers have a lot at stake. They are due more than $100 million for local broadcast rights in 2024, but under the Diamond plan, the Rangers would either have to take a significant cut or see their rights rejected outright. Before that happens, though, the judge must rule on the reorganization plan. If he doesn’t accept the plan, then everybody is back to Square One and in limbo longer. Once there is some finality to this case, though, it may get the market moving again.

4. The biggest mystery of the winter meetings not involving Ohtani might be whatever it is the Seattle Mariners are doing. They’ve traded off two bats in the last few weeks and now said they need at least two bats for the lineup. But after Ohtani and Soto, the market for bats is somewhat slim.

The Mariners might be the biggest threat in the AL West to disrupt a potential Rangers dynasty, but they constantly change out so many pieces, it’s hard to know in exactly what direction they are moving.

 

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https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-all-mlb-teams-unveiled

This year, the Rangers led the way with six All-MLB selections, including their middle-infield duo earning First Team nods. The Braves, meanwhile, paced all NL clubs with five All-MLB nods, including an MLB-most three players on the First Team.

FIRST TEAM
C: Adley Rutschman, Orioles
1B: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
2B: Marcus Semien, Rangers
SS: Corey Seager, Rangers
3B: Austin Riley, Braves
OF: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
OF: Mookie Betts, Dodgers
OF: Corbin Carroll, D-backs
DH: Shohei Ohtani, Angels
SP: Gerrit Cole, Yankees
SP: Zac Gallen, D-backs
SP: Blake Snell, Padres
SP: Shohei Ohtani, Angels
SP: Spencer Strider, Braves
RP: Félix Bautista, Orioles
RP: Josh Hader, Padres

SECOND TEAM
C: Jonah Heim, Rangers
1B: Matt Olson, Braves
2B: Ozzie Albies, Braves
SS: Francisco Lindor, Mets
3B: José Ramírez, Guardians
OF: Aaron Judge, Yankees
OF: Adolis García, Rangers
OF: Kyle Tucker, Astros
DH: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
SP: Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays
SP: Sonny Gray, Twins
SP: Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers
SP: Jordan Montgomery, Rangers
SP: Kyle Bradish, Orioles
RP: Devin Williams, Brewers
RP: Emmanuel Clase, Guardians

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