World Series Champions, Texas Rangers 2023-2024 Offseason Thread

[saddles]

Supposedly he wants to play for a team on the west coast.

He has met with Darvish recently so maybe Yu put in a good word for this area. I know Yu loved it here and hated leaving.

 

[saddles]

 

[Kelleyman]

When it comes to the rotation next year my ideal situation this offseason would be to stand pat and spend anything you have to spend, on the bullpen. I feel strongly that the Rangers are going to acquire a rotation piece though.

I don’t mind one SP but we do need pen help obviously.
I think we are losing Garver so for the right guy let’s pick up one real good bat
If not use the spot to rotate guys and maybe one of our young guys just earn the spot

 

[saddles]

From Jeff Wilson:

The Rangers suggested to first-round pick Wyatt Langford that he should stay home in Florida for some rest rather than make his way to Arizona for a hitting mini-camp for a select group of Rangers position players.

He went anyway.

“He showed up for a few days,” assistant general manager Ross Fenstermaker said. “He wanted to be around the guys.”

The Rangers didn’t let him stay for the two-week duration of their annual gathering of hitters who are either options for 2024 or are on the fast track to the major leagues.

Included in the group were shortstop Sebastian Walcott and Anthony Gutierrez, and 40-man members Jonathan Ornelas, Dustin Harris and the newest add, Justin Foscue.

He’s the one who is knocking loudest on the door to the majors.

 

[saddles]

From Jeff Wilson:

The Rangers have a need for a designated hitter and have several prospects who could fill the role. That includes Harris, Blaine Crim and Sam Huff. The sense here is that the Rangers would prefer Huff to be Jonah Heim’s backup and occasionally play first base and DH.

(Crim is playing again this winter, this time in the Dominican Republic with Triple A Round Rock teammate Sandro Fabian. Huff will be heading there at the end of the month. Josh Smith is there, too, on the Escogido club with Crim and Fabian. Right-hander Cole Winn is pitching in Puerto Rico.)

 

[saddles]

From Jeff Wilson:

Foscue is built to hit thanks to quality at-bats and the ability to make contact. He doesn’t strike out much. The Rangers are working with him this spring to improve the contact he makes.

“His been working his tail off,” Fenstermaker said. “It’s in there, and he’s done it in spurts. The quality of the at-bat and barrel precision is so good that we think there is a little more power.”

Some of the increased pop will come from what Foscue does in the weight room and also training for a little bit more bat speed. Foscue moved to Arizona last offseason and had a solid season that made him an option for the Rangers. Now that he’s on the 40-man roster, he’s doubling down on what worked last offseason, Fenstermaker said.

Foscue finished 2023 with 18 home runs and 31 doubles. He also walked 85 times while striking out only 70 times.

 

[saddles]

More from Jeff Wilson:

Fall League stars​

The Arizona Fall League has wrapped for another season, and the Surprise team, which includes the Rangers’ contingent of players, was crowned league champions.

Two Rangers helped pave the way.

Right-hander Emiliano Teodo might have been the most impressive pitcher in the league, posting a 0.00 ERA in 11 relief innings. Catcher Liam Hicks won the AFL batting title with a .449 average (31 for 85).

Teodo was a starter in 2023 at High A Hickory, where he posted a 5.25 ERA, and the Rangers haven’t given up on him starting in 2024. But Fenstermaker said they also wanted to see how he would fare against a higher class of hitters in shorter stints, and he had wipeout stuff.

The 22-year-old Teodo, a $10,000 international signing, could be a Rangers bullpen option in 2024.

His four-seamer was clocked at 102 mph, but he also now throws a two-seamer that hits 100. He has more command of that pitch, and his breaking ball is even more devastating when he’s ahead in the count.

“It confounds hitters in short windows,” Fenstermaker said. “One, two or three innings, or one time through the order, it’s electric.”

Hicks doesn’t hit for much power, but he finished 2023 at Double A Frisco and had success there. The Rangers would like to see Hicks, the ninth-round pick in 2021 (Arkansas State) find a little more power and increase his arm strength before considering him for the big-league roster.

 

[saddles]

Chase Lee had hip surgery similar to what Dane Dunning had a year ago.

 

[saddles]

No news yet, on if the Rangers non-tendered anyone.

 

[saddles]

No news yet, on if the Rangers non-tendered anyone.

The deadline isn't until 7:00 PM Central. I read earlier that it was 6:00 PM Central.

 

[saddles]

 

[scotsman1948]

Not much of a surprise. Thought there might been a couple of others

 

[scotsman1948]

Brewers non-tendered Brandon Woodruff. Started 11 games, 5-1 with a 2.28 ERA

 

[saddles]

This adjustment knocked Hedges off the roster too. Lol

 

[saddles]

Brewers non-tendered Brandon Woodruff. Started 11 games, 5-1 with a 2.28 ERA

He would be a great insurance policy.

 

[scotsman1948]

He would be a great insurance policy.

My thoughts exactly

 

[saddles]

Kolby Allard was non-tendered.

 

[Duane1952]

He would be a great insurance policy.

Wonder if he has pitched out of the bullpen.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

Wonder if he has pitched out of the bullpen.

Not sure, but he has had some great success as a starter.