After Battle for an excellent pitcher continues Texas Rangers Signed Star to Replace an Exit Ace
The Texas Rangers have plenty of stars. Just a glance at the World Series roster reveals big names like Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Max Scherzer and Adolis García. That doesn’t count All-Stars in Nathan Eovaldi, Jonah Heim and Josh Jung. And, of course, there’s Jacob deGrom. So when it comes to star power, the Rangers aren’t lacking. But each new season brings the opportunity for someone new to step up, and the defending champs are no different in that respect. Despite the obvious talent already assembled, it’s likely that there will be a new household name around Arlington this upcoming year. MLB.com recently compiled a list of potential breakout stars for each team in 2024, with the Rangers’ entry coming from the farm system: We look to the Minors, where Owen White, the Rangers’ No. 8 prospect, should be the next man up in a thin big league rotation.
The right-hander looked primed for the big leagues after a breakout 2022 campaign in which he posted a 3.59 ERA across High-A and Double-A, but he then faltered to a 4.22 ERA in ‘23 as he made his transition to Triple-A. White was pushed into brief big league service with two relief appearances in ‘24, but didn’t have the chance to fully stick around. White has all the tools to be a frontline starter if he can get back to his 2022 form, and while he may not be on the Opening Day roster, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him in Arlington soon thereafter. White would make sense, especially early in the season as the Rangers await the injury returns of deGrom, Scherzer and offseason signee Tyler Mahle. And with several starters scheduled to be free agents after 2024, including Scherzer, Jon Gray and Andrew Heaney, it makes sense to develop a home-grown talent such as White.
The Texas Rangers remain in play for Josh Hader, but the free-agent reliever isn’t a top priority despite the club’s issues in the bullpen. Hader has been linked to the defending World Series champions since the start of free agency, with many in the industry predicting the closer would sign with the Rangers. But his asking price is “north” of the five-year, $102 million contract that Edwin Díaz received from the New York Mets before last season, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden. Bowden, speaking on CBS Sports HQ, added that no team, including the Rangers, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, has approached that financial “ballpark” with Hader. Bowden added that those three teams would prefer adding a starting pitcher before a reliever.
The Rangers bullpen problems were well-chronicled last season. Currently, José Leclerc is the odds-on favorite to be the closer if Texas does not make a move. Hader, 29, posted a 1.28 ERA with only five blown saves (33-38) for the San Diego Padres in 2023. He struck out 85 in 56 1/3 innings with a WHIP of 1.101 and held opponents to a .163 batting average. The four-time All-Star and three-time National League Reliever of the Year is clearly the best closer on the market.
