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After winning the World Series in 2023 for the first time in Texas Rangers' franchise history, manager Bruce Bochy's club's 2024 season could aptly be described as a World Series hangover.
Now, after the disappointing season, Rangers GM Chris Young will be faced with some high-profile contracts expiring. Today, we will be examining 11 members of the Texas Rangers poised to enter free agency this offseason.
11 Texas Rangers headed for free agency
1) Max Scherzer, LHP
Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer will see his 2022 three-year, $130 million New York Mets deal expire. However, since his trade in the middle of 2023, Scherzer has only made 17 starts for the Rangers, spurring doubts about the veteran pitcher's ability to commit to other multi-year deals.
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"MAX SCHERZER MAKES HISTORY. Scherzer sits in the Top-10 in career strikeouts! @Rangers #StraightUPTX @BallySports" - Fanduel Sports Network Southwest
2) Travis Jankowski, OF
Although he has hit just two home runs in his past 211 games, Travis Jankowski's $1.7 million price tag this season hardly broke the bank. A solid defensive outfielder who has competed in the majority of the Texas Rangers games since the start of 2023, Jankowski's utility as a substitute and pinch runner has yielded good dividends for his club.
"Travis Jankowksi saves the game with an incredible home run robbery" - Talkin' Baseball
3) Carson Kelly, C
Catcher Carson Kelly is the clear second-tier catcher for Texas behind Jonah Heim. Set to see his one-year, $3.5 million commitment expire, Kelly appeared in 31 games this season, hitting .238/.313/.374 with 9 homers and 37 RBIs split between Texas and the Detroit Tigers. While Kelly will likely never supplant Jonah Heim as the Texas Rangers' first-tier backstop, the 30-year-old Kelly will be attractive to many other clubs.
4) Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
A winner of the 2018 World Series with the Boston Red Sox, pitcher Nathan Eovaldi also played a crucial role in the Texas Rangers' 2023 World Series win. In 29 starts in 2024, Eovaldi went 12-8, pitching to a 3.80 ERA. With Eovaldi turning down his vesting option for 2025, his $34 million, two-year deal is something of the past.
"Nathan Eovaldi has declined his player option and will elect free agency, Rangers GM Chris Young announced." - FOX Sports: MLB
5) Jose Leclerc, RHP
Reliever Jose Leclerc received due recognition for his performance against the Houston Astros in the 2023 ALCS. An eight-year veteran, the 89 strikeouts dished out in 2024 by the Dominican right-hander was his best figure since the 2019 season. Leclerc, 30, is witnessing the culmination of the deal inked in 2019 (a four-year, $14.75-million contract), which included team options in 2023 and 2024.
6) Matt Duffy, 3B
After hitting 218/.296/.280 in Triple-A Roundrock, veteran infielder Matt Duffy was called up to the Rangers in September, and appeared in 4 games. A 10-year veteran who won the 2014 World Series with the San Francisco Giants, it is difficult to see a scenario in which Duffy returns to the club.
7) Andrew Heaney, LHP
Left-hander Andrew Heaney will witness his two-year, $25 million deal run out this offseason. Standing at 6-foot-2, Heaney once again struggled in 2024. Finishing with a career-worst 14 losses, Heaney's 4.28 ERA was also his worst since he made the transition to the starting role.
"Strikeout #1,000 of the career of Andrew Heaney. He is the 49th active pitcher to reach the milestone" - Rangers Nation
With bigger-name pitchers like Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom expected to stake their spot in the rotation, getting a job in the Rangers' rotation could be exceedingly difficult for Heaney in 2025.
8) Andrew Chafin, LHP
The Texas Rangers acquired veteran journeyman pitcher Andrew Chafin from Detroit during the regular season, and it looks unlikely that he will stick around.
Now 34 years old, Chafin's one-year, $4.75 million deal expired. In 19.1 innings for the Rangers towards the end of the season, the Ohio-born Chafin went 1-1, pitching to a 4.19 ERA, and striking out twenty.
9) David Robertson, RHP
Pitcher David Robertson was one of the Texas Rangers' best relievers in 2024. A former Cy Young contender during his days with the New York Yankees, Robertson went 3-4 with a 3.00 ERA across 72 innings of work in 2024. With his one-year, $11 million deal expiring, Robertson has a mutual option for 2025 that could possibly be used.
"Never forget with David Robertson struck out 3 MVPs TWICE" - Rangers Nation
10) Kirby Yates, RHP
With an ERA of just 1.17 through 61.2 relief innings, Kirby Yates had the lowest ERA in the Rangers' bullpen last year. Born in Hawaii, Yates' one-year, $4.5 million deal is set to expire. However, judging by how well the 37-year-old pitched, the Rangers might be willing to keep the veteran around, even if it is for just one more season.
11) Jose Urena, RHP
Although he struggled with injuries in 2024, Jose Urena still pitched to a 3.80 ERA in 33 games out of the bullpen. A 33-year-old who has demonstrated pitching versatility in the past, the Texas Rangers will need to assess whether or not keeping Urena after his one-year, $1.75 million deal is worth it.
