Rangers Have Strong Interest In Charlie Morton

The Texas Rangers have strong interest in free-agent starting pitcher Charlie Morton, who spent the last two years with the Astros. The veteran right-hander had a breakout in 2018, going 15-3 with a 3.13 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 30 starts over 167 innings. However, he's 35 years old and had arm issues to close […]

Jose Leclerc Not Locked Into Closer Role

Texas Rangers new manager Chris Woodward said that relief pitcher Jose Leclerc isn't locked into the closer role heading into the 2019 season. Woodward likes Leclerc's ability to pitch multiple innings in high-leverage situations instead of solely the ninth inning. The right-hander was one of the most dominant relief pitchers last year, striking out 85 […]

Astros Officially Agree With Robinson Chirinos

Updating a previous report, the Houston Astros officially agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent catcher Robinson Chirinos on Monday, pending a physical. Chirinos played the last six seasons with the Rangers and should be Houston's primary catcher in 2019 alongside Max Stassi. The 34-year-old had 18 home runs, 65 RBI and a .757 OPS […]

Astros Close To Landing Robinson Chirinos

The Houston Astros are making significant progress toward a deal with free-agent catcher Robinson Chirinos, according to sources. A deal could already be in place, pending a physical. The Rangers curiously did not pick up Chirinos' 2019 option, making him a free agent. With only Max Stassi and Garrett Stubbs on the current roster, Chirinos […]

Matt Bush Becomes Free Agent

The Texas Rangers non-tendered relief pitchers Matt Bush, Zac Curtis, Ricardo Rodriguez and Adrian Sampson on Friday, making them all free agents. The hope is that that Rangers can ultimately re-sign Bush, who is recovering from Sept. 19 surgery to fix a partially torn ligament in his right elbow. He is expected to miss at […]

Jose Leclerc Receiving Trade Interest

Multiple teams have contacted the Texas Rangers about the availability of closer Jose Leclerc this offseason. Leclerc was electric in 2018, posting a 1.56 ERA, finishing with a 21-inning scoreless streak and posting the lowest opponent's batting average (.126) by any reliever. He also finished the year as the closer and had 12 saves and […]

Josh Donaldson's Value in Atlanta

The Bringer of Rain™ is taking his talents to the Dirty South™. The question on everyone's mind for the next few months should be how to value the 32-year old slugger who has struggled staying on the field these past two years. There's no way to know whether his lingering calf issue is behind him. […]

Rangers Agree With Jesse Chavez

The Texas Rangers agreed to terms with free-agent pitcher Jesse Chavez on a two-year deal in the $8 million range on Tuesday, according to sources. The veteran swingman went 5-2 with a nice 2.55 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 8.7 K/9 in 62 outings (95 1/3 innings) with the Rangers and Cubs in 2018. There's a […]

Tigers Agree With Matt Moore

The Detroit Tigers agreed with free-agent starting pitcher Matt Moore on a one-year deal that guarantees him between $2 million and $3 million on Tuesday, according to sources. The rebuilding Tigers will likely use the southpaw in their rotation. Moore was 3-8 with an ugly 6.79 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and mediocre 7.6 K/9 over 39 […]

Adrian Beltre Was The Best

You may have noticed that this is my first article in nearly two months. Much more likely, you didn't, but either way it's true. While I usually take the month of October off to recharge after the long slog of the regular season to kick back and watch postseason action without having to consider fantasy […]

Statcast Review - 2018 Hitting Leaders (Exit Velocity)

After a full fantasy season of using Statcast measures to predicting risers and fallers each week, it’s time to take a step back and view the big picture. One of the most straightforward Statcast measurements we relied on was exit velocity or the speed the ball comes off the bat immediately after being hit. It […]

Rangers Agree With Jeff Mathis

The Texas Rangers agreed on a two-year deal, pending a physical, with free-agent catcher Jeff Mathis on Thursday, according to sources. Mathis will be 36 years old next year and hit just .200 with a .544 OPS in 218 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2018. His defense is his calling card, so he shouldn't […]

Braves, Twins Interested In Robinson Chirinos

The Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins are showing interest in free-agent catcher Robinson Chirinos, according to sources. Chirinos is likely to draw much more interest on the open market after slugging a career-high 18 home runs and driving in 65 in 113 games for the Rangers in 2018 despite hitting just .222/.338/.419. Power-hitting catchers are […]

Julio Pablo Martinez Injured In AFL

Texas Rangers outfielder Julio Pablo Martinez (groin), who is the team's No. 2 prospect, was removed from the Arizona Fall League as a precaution. Martinez had hit .327 with a homer, six RBI and four stolen bases in 52 at-bats in the AFL after slashing .266/.378/.457 with nine long balls, 24 RBI and 13 stolen […]

Bartolo Colon Plans To Pitch In 2019

Free-agent starting pitcher Bartolo Colon intends to pitch in his 22nd season in 2019. Big Sexy will be 46 years old next May and struggled to a 7-12 record, 5.78 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 81 strikeouts in 146 1/3 innings over 28 outings (24 starts) for the Rangers in 2018. He obviously has very little […]

Rangers Hire Chris Woodward To Be Next Manager

The Texas Rangers hired Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Chris Woodward to be their next manager on Friday. The 42-year-old Woodward has spent the last three seasons as the third base coach for the Dodgers and played in the big leagues for 12 years in stints with the Blue Jays, Mets, Mariners and Red […]

Rangers Decline Options On Four Friday

The Texas Rangers declined the 2019 options on catcher Robinson Chirinos ($4.5 million) and starting pitchers Martin Perez ($7.5 million), Matt Moore ($10 million) and Doug Fister ($4.5 million), making them all free agents. Chirinos hit just .222/.338/.419 but had 18 home runs and 65 RBI in 360 at-bats, making him one of the more […]

Rangers Acquire Drew Smyly

The Texas Rangers acquired starting pitcher Drew Smyly from the Cubs on Friday. It's unclear what the Cubs received in return. Smyly missed all of the 2017 season and made just one rehab start in 2018 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The left-hander is still on the right side of 30, though, and he […]

Elvis Andrus Won't Opt Out Of Deal

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus will not use his opt-out clause in his contract and leave behind the four years and $58 million left on his current deal. Andrus has another opt-out clause for the 2020 season, so he's hoping to improve his value after disappointing in 2018 while missing time with a fractured elbow. […]

Barrel Leaders - Statcast 2018 Year-In-Review

The 2018 MLB season was full of memorable moments and rife with power. It's unexpected to see that there was a noticeable dip in power numbers, despite the 5,585 home runs hit by Major League players. In 2017, that figure was up at 6,105 HR. Homers make the highlight reels but don't tell the whole story […]

Rangers Not Expected To Give Qualifying Offer To Adrian Beltre

Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre has yet to make a decision on retirement, but general manager Jon Daniels said he doesn't expect to offer the veteran a qualifying offer after the World Series. However, if Beltre decides to come back for another year, the Rangers will work out the right contract. Beltre spent multiple […]

Stolen Base Fallers - 2018 Season Review

The 2018 MLB season was one in which stolen base numbers were down across the board, from 2,527 total steals in 2017 to 2,474 this year. Even the league's most prolific thieves were affected, as the highest individual stolen base total in 2017 was 60, while 45 was tops in all of baseball this year. […]

Rangers Interview Rocco Baldelli, David Bell

The Texas Rangers interviewed Rays field coordinator Rocco Baldelli and Giants vice president of player development David Bell on Monday for their managerial opening. The Rangers have already interviewed several other candidates, including ex-Yankees manager Joe Girardi. Both Baldelli and Bell are candidates for the Reds job, too. Texas is looking to replace Jeff Banister […]

Rangers To Interview Dusty Wathan For Manager Job

The Texas Rangers will interview Philadelphia Phillies third base coach Dusty Wathan for their managerial opening later this week, according to a baseball source. The 45-year-old Wathan was a finalist for the Phillies job last year before they chose Gabe Kapler. Wathan played professionally for 14 seasons and managed 10 seasons in the Phillies minor […]

2018 RotoBaller MLB Challenge - And The RT Sports Winner Is...

What a season, RotoBallers. Fantasy baseball is always a fun, interesting, and long season - filled with injuries, breakout players, and different strategies. It takes stamina and endurance to win the six month marathon, and we're here today to recognize those who pulled it off. With 312 teams competing to be crowned champ of the […]

2018 RotoBaller MLB Challenge - And The Fantrax Winner Is...

What a season, RotoBallers. Fantasy baseball is always a fun, interesting, and long season - filled with injuries, breakout players, and different strategies. It takes stamina and endurance to win the six month marathon, and we're here today to recognize those who pulled it off. With 480 teams competing to be crowned champ of the […]

Rangers Interview Joe Girardi

The Texas Rangers are interviewing ex-Yankees manager Joe Girardi on Friday for their managerial opening, according to two sources. Girardi had a 910-710 record with the Yankees over 10 seasons and directed them to a World Series title in 2009. Texas has also done background work on Padres minor league manager Rod Barajas, Dodgers third […]

Rangers Interview Three For Managerial Position

The Texas Rangers have interviewed three candidates for their full-time managerial position -- Rangers bench coach Jayce Tingler, Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde and Astros bench coach Joe Espada. Texas is also expected to interview Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. and interim manager Don Wakamatsu. The interviews could stretch beyond next week. The […]

Rangers Interested In Pat Murphy For Managerial Opening

The Texas Rangers have expressed preliminary interest in Milwaukee Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy for their managerial opening, according to sources. However, no interview has been scheduled yet with the Brewers still in the postseason. Murphy has minor league managerial experience and was the interim manager for the Padres a few years ago. He was […]

Nomar Mazara Doesn't Need Surgery

Texas Rangers outfielder Nomar Mazara (thumb) consulted with a hand expert who said that Mazara's thumb is fully stable and will not require surgery. Mazara's thumb sprain caused him to tail off at the plate in the second half, and he finished with a .258/.317/.436 slash line, 20 home runs, 77 RBI and 61 runs […]