I think we start with hiring Fenstermaker as the GM, as Chris Young is now the President of Baseball Operations; but, you are also correct in that we have major decisions that need to be made on the player side, and subsequently on the payroll side.

The core feels rock solid, but we need to surround them with more consistent players. This past season felt like we would take two steps forward and then three steps backwards at times. Consistency is key.

What's the status with Carter? I havent kept up.

I don't think anyone really knows what his status is, but it has been discussed how serious of a situation he's in. Back injuries like his and the surgery that he has had to fix it is a well down the road attempt at a solution.

Mr Gigem said:

---

We've got some work to do this offseason. Right now, we need to replace two coaches. We also need to make acquisitions at C/DH, SP, RP.

Our lineup as it stands:

2B: Semien
SS: Seager
LF: Langford
RF: Garcia
3B: Jung
DH: Smith
1B: Lowe
C: Heim
CF: Taveras

Rotation:
DeGrom
Rocker
Bradford
Gray
???

I think resigning Eovaldi needs be a priority. He is a veteran that is damn good and makes everyone around him better. I also believe Leiter will continue to develop and could possibly be in the rotation on opening day.

There are some C/DH out there. I wonder if we go the trade route on this one.

RP is always a mixed bag because you never know if a guy is going to be the same each year. Need to find lightning again with a Yates/Robertson type signing.

I like the idea of Seager at 1B, but that's not happening in 2025. Just don't see it.

I just woke up and my brain isn't quite functioning yet, so I'll let yall take it from here.

---

It's the off-season, so we have to be optimistic right? So I'd put Carter in that lineup and hopefully he can stay healthy.

Agree on Eovaldi, he would be a big help with Rocker, Bradford, Leiter expected to be on the roster. They would benefit from having Eovaldi around. Plus Eovaldi is a quality starter still.

Tksymm7 said:

---

I don't think anyone really knows what his status is, but it has been discussed how serious of a situation he's in. Back injuries like his and the surgery that he has had to fix it is a well down the road attempt at a solution.

---

Thanks for the response.

I'm here.

Here.

You missed Mahle.

If I were in the front office, I would start by figuring out what you want to do if Roki Sasaki is posted at the beginning of the year. I personally would do everything humanly possible to get him, but not everyone may feel the same way.

Tksymm7 said:

---

If I were in the front office, I would start by figuring out what you want to do if Roki Sasaki is posted at the beginning of the year. I personally would do everything humanly possible to get him, but not everyone may feel the same way.

---

Since he falls into the international pool bucket, there's a cap on how much teams can pay him. It'll be the behind the scenes stuff that will make the decision for him. Probably will depend mostly on which organization he feels most comfortable with and where he thinks he can win.

Which is exactly why the Rangers have a punchers chance if he's posted. Obviously Dodgers would be betting favorite, but the Rangers are well connected in Japan and do a lot of work there.

DallasAg 94 said:

---

You missed Mahle.

---

Sure did. Again, had just woke up. Hence the lack of brain function. But I knew you all were clamoring to get the offseason thread started

In for the off-season moves

And off we go!

Really disappointed in the Rangers lack of activity so far today.

Let's go, CY! Time is wasting!

And now that I have said that, watch the GM get announced this afternoon.

I've posted a bit about him.

I think he will be posted and likely for the Jan 2025 pool. Once posted, MLB teams have 45 days to negotiate. So, I think he won't be officially posted until maybe December?!

A couple things. Since it is Int'l Pool money all teams have a cap. Teams can trade for Int'l Pool money... but you're looking at a max of like $10-11M to sign, then he is under control for the normal 6 years (3 Serf/3 Arb). The Int'l Pool money is used for all Int'l signings, so if someone spends all their Pool money on Sasaki, they won't have an ability to sign anyone else. There are probably 10-15 guys worth looking at. Names escape me, but 1 I believe has 2 older brothers either in MLB or close.

Japanese players prefer the West Coast... Ohtani, Yamamoto, et al, because of the closer proximity. Additionally, a direct flight to NRT/Tokyo is almost a given.

I've read that many GMs expect the Dodgers to be the favorite. With Yamamoto and Ohtani... there is a cultural fit, but from a marketing perspective, he'll have huge upside for endorsement money.

LAD is expected to be looking at Soto, as well. So, when you consider Kershaw's expectation to pitch in 2025, and add Soto and Sasaki... the only thing that will slow the LADs is injury and limited roster spots.

They have a ton (7) on the 60-IL that transition to the 40. I'm not sure how many are FAs, but they have 7 spots to account for now. Then, with Gonsolin, Glasnow, May, Stone, River, and Sheehan all as SPs, it becomes a numbers game.

I expect them to be heavily active trading players to open up spots.

Let's do this!

While true, I think there is something to be said about making your own path for Sasaki. He's a young dude with all of his career in front of him, and even though I agree the Dodgers are the betting favorite, he would be overshadowed like a mfer there with Ohtani, Yamamoto, Mookie, Freddie, and anyone else they would want.

The Dodgers are a really interesting team this offseason for a lot of what you've mentioned. They also are spending an absurd amount of money right now.

ETA: Yamamoto is honestly a good example of being overshadowed. I didn't even remember him this year because of what Ohtani was doing. The man wasn't even in existence in my mind.

not really Rangers but are the Dodgers gonna try to pay Soto 10/400…. 2 million a yr with rest deferred til 2050 again? Surely thats the only way the can do that right?

I know CY mentioned both Eovaldi and Heaney as priorities for 2025.

The Cards declined options on Lynn ($11M) and Gibson ($12M) for 2025. Both are 37. That may indicate the market for Innings guys like Heaney (33) might be favorable for teams.

I don't think the market has been set, yet... but hoping it is soft.

Any strategic lessons regarding filling a roster that we can take from 2024?

Lots of SP depth.

Have a guy like Seager and Freeman in the World Series? Hope guys like Ohtani/Judge don't get hurt/tired/slump.

I think the early thoughts were around youth (Detroit, O's), but in the end it was about money-players.

Used to be high on Roansy. Has good stuff, but mentally…flip a coin. Hope he gets it figured out in Arlington.

Looking forward to see what CY does over the next few months and the new faces headed to Arlington.

On the Int'l front, here are some thoughts:

The international signing period will open on Jan. 15, 2025, and run through Dec. 15,

Some notables:

No. 1: Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez, SS (Dominican Republic)
Comps: Francisco Lindor and Jose Reyes.

No. 2: Elian Pena, SS (Dominican Republic)

Quote:

---

While the city of Azua, Dominican Republic, has recently churned out big leaguers such as Yainer Diaz, Maikel Franco and Esteury Ruiz, early expectations are that Pena could be the best of the group. Evaluators rave about his off-the-field makeup and in-game savvy, believing he has legitimate five-tool impact potential across the board.

---

No. 3: Cris Rodriguez, OF (Dominican Republic)

Quote:

---

Eloy Jimnez was the No. 1 international prospect in 2013 ... Rodriguez, ... is in many regards a near carbon copy of Jimnez

---

No. 4: Andrew Salas, SS/OF (United States)

Quote:

---

Andrew is the youngest of the Salas boys with both Jose and Ethan becoming highly regarded international prospects before him.

---

Whoever gets Sasaki, IMO, likely gives up all their Int'l Pool money and runs the risk of not being able to sign any LATAM players.

I'd project Sasaki to be held in the 125 IP range in '25. He may or may not make the MLB roster in '25, but almost assured to do so in '26. If the Rangers get him, I think I'd would be happy with a sub-4.0 ERA in his initial season. He'd be a long-term play as he'd be cost effective for 6 years.

If the Rangers start trading for Pool money... you have to think they are in the mix for Sasaki, IMO.

For the baseball starved already, shortly after the World Series... here is another article:
https://www.mlb.com/news/roki-sasaki-japan-korea-players-who-could-come-to-mlb

I was given the the true brvnd blue cap. I'm not gonna wear it because it looks goofy. Is there a market for these things? Didn't see much on eBay.

Thanks.

Which one? I love them and they are sold out of Ranger hats now.

The blue one. I'm not home but will post a pic later.

If it's this one, I'll buy it. They run $40 retail. Let me know what'll make it worth your while.