*****Official Texas Rangers 2026-27 Offseason Thread*****

6,659 Views | 101 Replies | Last: 3 hrs ago by Out in Left Field
Grapesoda2525
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Glad to celebrate the Dodgers downfall. No 3 peat!
agent-maroon
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AG
Anybody watch the Rays/Guardians game today? That 6'8" umpire behind the plate made the batters look too small. It looked like they were playing a little league game. A very skilled little league game I might add.
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fc2112
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Jordan Baker - he's 6'-7". Dude is a hoss for sure.
cmiller00
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AG
Nathaniel Lowe with the RBI.
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Fuzzy Dunlop
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AG
It's good to see Nate Lowe succeeding in the playoffs. He just looks like a good dude.

I don't think Cleveland is going to get through to the WS, but it's nice seeing him play well.
Double Talkin' Jive...
Vessel
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I would be absolutely terrified to bat after Caminero takes 30 seconds to get around the bases.

He's already done that at least once this season. Pretty simple way to get him to stop.
duck79
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AG
Contreras and Caminero each homering in a WS game and then trying to one up eachother rounding the bases. Im here for it.
Grapesoda2525
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Rays vs Brewers

I feel good about the winner of the World Series no matter who wins it. Both teams have gotten close many years in the past and never won it.
fc2112
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I know the national media doesn't like this WS because no Dodgers / no Yankees.

But these were the two best regular season teams and I think it'll be great.
Water Boy
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AG
I'll be rooting for the brewers. The fan base there wants it a lot more than Tampa.
KT 90
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AG
Water Boy said:

I'll be rooting for the brewers. The fan base there wants it a lot more than Tampa.

Plus the Brewers have the Beer slide in left field. Brewers it is!
EastSideAg2002
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KT 90 said:

Water Boy said:

I'll be rooting for the brewers. The fan base there wants it a lot more than Tampa.

Plus the Brewers have the Beer slide in left field. Brewers it is!


And Sausage Races!!

I was born in MKE and all my family is from there so this is an easy 2nd best possibility of WS option for me. Dont think my dad will be going to the WS this time around in MKE with those prices though.
Vessel
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DallasAg 94
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Getting him up to the big club is important, if he can hit in 2027.

But, I hate the idea of him in the OF.

If they plan on him next year, they better start him for the season so he can qualify for an extra pick, assuming that remains part of the CBA.

Duran at 2B is probably a better option than Walcott.
AggieEP
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Just curious, but why do you hate the idea of him in the OF?

Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis have both transitioned from SS to elite outfielders. If Walcott can play CF, that is still a premium defensive position and a position of need for this team.
Vessel
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I'm thinking they saw what Nimmo offered in RF and thought Walcott's profile could be nice there.

The Tatis arc for sure.
KT 90
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AG
They need to find a spot for Walcott and just put him there and go with it. He looks to be ready, or close enough to ready. We can either trade or move positions to make a spot for him in the infield (either trade Jung or move Seager to 1B). I guess OF can work, but just depends on how much of a natural he is out there. Last thing we need is for Walcott to struggle in the OF tracking balls and have that impact his overall game.

But it's good they are giving it a look now in the AFL. Then there is Spring Training. Even if there is a lockout, he will be able to play minor league ball at whatever position. I think CY needs to clear a spot for Walcott and turn him loose.
Water Boy
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AG
I rather wait for Walcott. He seems like a special talent and I want us to be able to capitalize on his rookie deal. We have too many "young" players on year 3+ that are preforming below average that we give breaks to for being "young."
cmiller00
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AG
Who knows what happens and what opportunities are out there. Smart to give him a little experience to see how he looks.
rbtexan
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S
AggieEP said:

Just curious, but why do you hate the idea of him in the OF?

Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis have both transitioned from SS to elite outfielders. If Walcott can play CF, that is still a premium defensive position and a position of need for this team.

I'm not crazy about Walcott in the OF either. He doesn't profile as a CF, all I've heard is RF or LF. If he can play SS, or even 3B, he's more valuable in the IF IMO. But there is an argument to be made to create a position for him to get his bat up to the big club if he's ready. Wouldn't break my heart if they moved Jung and either put Walcott there or slide Seager over from SS.
DallasAg 94
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Cookie Betts, Jurickson Profar, Chuck Knoblauch... maybe the best example of my concern is Odubel Herrera.

Herrera was a Rangers minor league MIF, about 15 years ago. Profar, Odor, and others were behind Kinsley... Michael Young, Andrus, we were loaded.

Herrera was left unprotected and Philly picked him up on Rule V. They moved him to CF and he did "well." He was a .270 hitter with limited power, and IIRC, was a solid defensive option because of his speed.

At 6'4", Walcott may outgrow MIF. That has always been a concern. If he moves to the OF because he can't play IF... fine. But a .250/10/15 guy at 2B is valued. A .250/10/15 OFer is meh.

My AI helper tells me the 2026 MLB benchmark for an
OF is: .245-255, 20-25 HRs, 8-12 SB
2B is: .240-250, 15-20HR, 8-12 SB.

I think his status as a prospect diminishes.
Vessel
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It's not because he "can't" play MIF and he certainly doesn't profile as a .250 and 10 HRs player. Guys with that hitting profile aren't considered top prospects, especially if they aren't plus fielders.

Walcott's time has arrived and, for now, we have a SS and a 3B. We also have a great backup at those spots in Duran. Figuring out other options for Walcott is only logical at this point.
KT 90
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AG
FYI, former Ranger Nick Martinez is getting the start tonight in game 1 of the World Series. That and also being named to the all star team is a nice accomplishment for pretty much a career journeyman who also spent four or five years playing in Japan.
Vessel
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He's a case that makes you wonder if TB is actually finding guys and coaching them differently or if there's something else going on there lol.

Just turned 36, career best in ERA and career high IP.
DallasAg 94
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In 4 seasons and 334G: .267, 41 HR, 84 SB

He has been one of the youngest players everywhere he has played. He will be 21 in March 2027.

That would certainly suggest better than .250/10HR

But we will see. I agree you need to put him somewhere, but my point is valid.

Now, his defense hasn't been great on the infield, but he is young. And as I said, at 6'4", he likely ends up at 3B.

If Texas is looking to move from Nimmo and trade him, maybe RF is his future. It's working for Betts. Not entirely opposed, just think his value drops moving from 2B to RF.
Vessel
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If everybody is healthy then isn't Duran the 2B?

I'm also not trying to move on from Nimmo, but Nimmo needs to be in the field far less.

That's why CF or RF feels like a natural need. Who knows, maybe we saw what Zeke did and think he needs to be in the OF more or fullish time.
DallasAg 94
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Interestingly, as a team the Rays' P is fairly even H/A.

Nick is 3.90/2.38 in 85.1/94.2 IP, H/A.

The Trop has played this season pretty even. Historically, I've always thought it more for P.

Weird. Almost 1.5 R/G at H.
DallasAg 94
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Yes, I've got Duran at 2B in 2027, for now.

Could Walcott be CF? LF with Langford at CF? We have about 4-5 months to see
dvldog
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AG
KT 90 said:

FYI, former Ranger Nick Martinez is getting the start tonight in game 1 of the World Series. That and also being named to the all star team is a nice accomplishment for pretty much a career journeyman who also spent four or five years playing in Japan.


So he's Colby Lewis. Got it.
AggieEP
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I think he profiles as a 25 hr and 25 sb type guy that would fit fine in the OF.

Assuming Jung and Seager are healthy there isn't room on the left side of the infield for him. The Rangers giving him time in the outfield tells me the Rangers are already penciling those two guys in. I think you have to give Zeke the full time job at 2B after a 4.5 WAR year. He earned it.

So if we want Walcott on 2027, that means we need him in the outfield.
DallasAg 94
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They mentioned on the broadcast that he has yet to pitch a 3rd time through the lineup.

That reminded me listening to the radio broadcast during ST...'16? '17? They were commenting on his struggle the 3rd time through and whether he'd develop enough of a 3rd pitch to have something to keep him in the rotation.

His splits for 2026 reflect the continued struggle 3rd time through. So, a quicker hook... better BP could make the difference.
Out in Left Field
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AG
Pudge mention!
 
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