It’s time to be realistic.
Sure, Juan Soto would give the Texas Rangers one of the American League’s most formidable lineups with him and Corey Seager back-to-back. And, sure, Pete Alonso would answer all lingering questions left regarding first base and its future. They’d also cost more than the Rangers — who need to stay south of the $241 million competitive balance tax line — can afford.
Soto, Alonso and any other free agent hitter that’ll command a deal north of nine figures should be classified as a want, not a need, for the Rangers.
OK, so, what are the Rangers’ needs? Oversimplified, it’s better fastball hitters, some veteran depth in the outfield and another option at designated hitter. As a reminder: Texas slugged .380 vs. four-seam fastballs in 2024 (the third-worst in the majors), got a .662 on-base plus slugging (OPS) from its outfield (the fifth-worst in the majors) and generated -0.9 WAR out of its designated hitters (the fifth-worst in the majors).
The first hope to ease those woes is internal growth, development and bounceback seasons. The second is offseason additions around the margins with a budget that may not be more than $25 million and will still need to account for rotation reinforcements and a rebuilt bullpen.
In other words: Whom can the Rangers actually afford under those parameters? Here are five bargain bat options that could help address the Rangers’ needs without bowing their entire budget.
OF Randall Grichuk: Why? He hits fastballs. Grichuk hit .321 and slugged .615 vs. four-seamers in 2024 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and had a run value of plus-8 against that pitch. The 33-year-old is a corner outfield/designated hitter option, though his below-average defense last season suggests he’s best fit for the latter. The first question is whether he hits free agency at all. Grichuk has a mutual option written into his contract and, if he and the Diamondbacks both agree to exercise it, can return to Arizona for $6 million next season.
The second is whether he’ll lie in Texas’ price range. Grichuk had a career-best hitting season with the Diamondbacks and slashed .291/.348/.528, mashed left-handed pitchers and may be priced out of the $5-10 million sweet spot that could theoretically fit Texas’ budget. If he’s attainable, it’s worth a look to give Texas a high-level platoon option.
OF Eloy Jiménez: On a tight budget with holes to fill? Here’s a tip: Buy low, hope for the best. Jiménez’s price point, in this instance, might not get much lower than this. The 27-year-old is a former Silver Slugger outfielder who posted a .828 OPS in three of his first four major league seasons with the Chicago White Sox. His stock took a considerable dip in 2024 when he was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline, slashed .238/.289/.336 in 98 games and was optioned to the minor leagues in late September. He still slugged .545 vs. four-seam fastballs and, theoretically, has only just entered his prime years. His market value, according to Spotrac, is a one-year deal worth just north of $2 million. He played all but one game at DH last season but has hit better when he plays the field throughout his career.
OF Adam Duvall: Consider him a Robbie Grossman replacement. Duvall, 36, had a brutal offensive season for the Atlanta Braves in 2024 and slashed just .182/.245/.323 in 104 games as a corner outfielder. So why’d he make this list? He had an .855 OPS vs. left-handed pitching and is only one season removed from a 21 home run, .834 OPS percentage year with the Boston Red Sox in 2023. Most importantly: He’d come at an incredibly team-friendly price.
OF Tommy Pham: He’s been on five teams in the last six seasons and is 36-years-old, but Pham, like Grichuk, can hit a fastball. He had a .297 batting average and a .447 slugging percentage vs. fastballs in 2024 with the Kansas City Royals, doesn’t chase pitches and can still hit the ball hard. He’s a one-year, $2 million-ish candidate.
OF Manuel Margot: The 30-year-old declined in 2024 with the Minnesota Twins and posted the first negative-WAR season of his major league career. But, as it pertains to what Texas needs, Margot hit .298 vs. four-seam fastballs, walloped changeups and splitters and can play all three outfield positions. He’s best against left-handers — which could pair well with Leody Taveras, who’s better vs. right-handers — and shouldn’t cost a boatload.
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