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Texas Rangers 2023–24 Off-Season Preview
What changes are in store for the World Series Champions?
The Texas Rangers capped off a magical 2023 season with an unexpected World Series Championship. Many expected the Rangers to be competitive, but few saw them lifting up a trophy at the end of the season. Now the Texas Rangers are tasked with deciding on which players to resign, trade, or pick up on the free agent market to help them defend their title for the 2024 season.
What is the Biggest Off-Season Need for the Texas Rangers?
The Rangers are a strongly built team, but one major area of weakness is the bullpen. Luckily, rebuilding a bullpen is a much easier task in baseball compared to any other position. Mid-season acquisition Aroldis Chapman will most likely not be back for next season. Throwing over 100 MPH is nice, but it’s not that great if the pitch only has a 50/50 chance of either crossing the plate or landing across the street in the Dallas Cowboys parking lot.
Relievers Will Smith and Chris Stratton are also unlikely to return to the team. The Rangers can either look toward the free-agent market or make a trade for a veteran reliever or two or maybe three. Josh Hader is the top relief pitcher on the market, but his price might be too steep. Other…