I thought I saw yesterday that they did - but now cannot find it.

Quote:

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The backup catching role will also have to be resolved. Huff's glovework is still a question mark, so Texas could opt to re-sign Austin Hedges as a pure defensive specialist behind everyday starter Heim. Or, the Rangers could look to entirely bring the band back together by re-signing Mitch Garver and reinstalling him into the primary DH/backup catcher role.

This usage worked so well in 2023 that reuniting with Garver is surely tempting for the Rangers. It is possible Garver might even accept the qualifying offer if issued, as he'd land a $20.325MM payday for the 2024 season and return to a comfortable environment. On the other hand, Garver is also the top free agent catcher on the market, so a longer-term contract elsewhere would certainly seem to be on the table. Garver's injury history might preclude him from being a true full-time catcher, though he could pursue a DH/catcher role similar to the one he held in Texas.

Qualifying offers must be issued by November 6, and that short timeframe adds another wrinkle to how the Rangers might approach Garver. If Garver did receive a QO and he accepted, that would essentially solidify the Rangers' plans for the DH spot heading into 2024. On the one hand, that's a bit of important winter business handled early….except that this particular offseason happens to have a certain generational talent available who needs a designated hitter role.

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MLB Trade Rumors article from yesterday (11/4)

Thought I had seen the QO to Garver as well, but nothing turned up on the google search. Article has a lot of tasty discussion about the team and the Ohtani possibility.

Wacha was a really solid last year. Easily a good 4.

With the Rangers winning the World Series, they will be the second team to ever win a championship, and then host the All-Star Game the following season.

The only other team to do so, the 1939 Yankees.

fc2112 said:

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Tommy Pham as a DH is gonna depend on if Garver takes our QO.

I like Tommy Pham a lot - but Garver is a better hitter AND can be a backup ctcher.

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I didn't like Pham's interview after Game 4. He sounded defeated. Then went 0-3 in Game 5. I think we have better options.

cmiller00 said:

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It was time to make the move and CY did a great job but to give JD no credit just makes him look like a petty has-been.

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That's all Galloway has ever been. He's a sports imbecile with a microphone

Quick read from Bob Nightengale about potential off-season plans:

Texas Rangers

Hey, free agency treated them very, very, very good in their World Series run.

So why not hit the market again?

They will make a run at Ohtani, who was on his original list of teams he was interested in signing with when he left Japan, and will be on the lookout for starting pitching.

Bringing Jordan Montgomery back makes the most sense, but certainly Nola and his durability is quite attractive to the Rangers' rotation, with several GMs predicting Nola will end up in Texas.

The Rangers' bullpen concerns could also suddenly disappear with the signing of free-agent closer Josh Hader.

It's hard to find a single executive who isn't predicting that Hader will ultimately be a Ranger.

Certainly, with the nucleus of their position players locked up in Texas for the next five years, they could have the makings of a dynasty.

DallasAg 94 said:

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DannyDuberstein said:

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I keep seeing where Garver's QO would be $20 million following a year where he made $3.9. Is that right? Surely they don't offer that. Would love to get him resigned, but at more of a negotiated price vs QO rate

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So, as a looming FA the Rangers can make a QO (currently $20M+/-). That dollar amount is determined by the average of the Top 125 Salaries.

If they offer and he accepts, he is under a 1yr deal. If he rejects it, the Rangers get Draft Comp for him leaving.

If they don't offer... he can walk free-and-clear.

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I would let Garver walk. $20MM is too high for a .250 hitting DH. Yes, he's a backup catcher as well but still think it isbtoo high. I'm not sure anyone would pay that.

Wouldn't mind a 2 year 25 mill contract offer with incentives. I think that is more than fair for graver.

Heim and Lowe win Gold Gloves!

Danny Vermin said:

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Geez, that Fox Ramgers commercial was a doozy. Hopefully if you guys are watching the Cowboys you saw it.

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Thank you, @Rangers. pic.twitter.com/MEPud21oKJ

— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) November 5, 2023

Been out of town so just now reading this thread.... ready for a good 3+ months of off season talk.

And I say pass on Ohtani. How do you even determine his value when his pitching ability is going to be unknown? He's going to want a record setting contract, fully guaranteed.

I guess wait and see what his agent is asking for, but we need to spend our money on Montgomery and the bullpen.

Adolis won a Gold Glove too!

KT 90 said:

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And I say pass on Ohtani. How do you even determine his value when his pitching ability is going to be unknown? He's going to want a record setting contract, fully guaranteed.

I guess wait and see what his agent is asking for, but we need to spend our money on Montgomery and the bullpen.

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I tend to agree. But then I also think of that bat in this lineup. Wow.

For those interested in Ohtani...how do you project his cost?

Personally, I think he is a DH-only for 2024. He may or may not pitch in 2025. He can't play OF with the arm surgery.

1 HR per 4.1 GP

Career .274... likely gives you 30-35 HRs.

Certainly capable of .300/40HR/20SB. Adding Ohtani would certainly put us as the odds-favorite to winning the 2024 WS. 10yr is concerning.

Would you want like $40M with a vesting to $50M in 2026 if he pitches 125 IP in 2025?!

Maybe a $30M for 2024 (age 30), $35M for 2025 (age 31), $40M for 2026 and on...

I just wouldn't want more than 6-7 yrs and he likely gets 10 years putting him in the Rendon, Pujols, type range.

I think most teams are going to approach it like that with vesting based on innings pitched. Just going to depend on who's willing to pony up the most guaranteed most likely. Although if you offer him an incentive laden contract that would pay him like both an All Star hitting and pitcher if he performs maybe he bets on himself.

Love the thought of him in our lineup but shelling out the amount it will take for a guy with injury and long term durability concerns doesn't seem like the best move with the current lineup.