Texas welcomes back Andrew Heaney and José Leclerc with open arms.
In an exciting announcement on Saturday, the franchise revealed that Heaney has chosen to exercise his player option, ensuring his return as a Ranger for the upcoming season. Additionally, the club has made the decision to exercise their team option on Leclerc, securing his place on the team as well.
These moves mark the initial and crucial offseason choices for the Rangers, who are determined to defend their hard-earned 2023 World Series championship.
Andrew Heaney fans three
Andrew Heaney, who had an impressive first season with the Rangers, will continue to be a key part of their rotation in 2024. Throughout the season, Heaney showcased his skills, going 10-6 with a 4.15 ERA over 34 games, with 28 starts. During the team’s remarkable World Series triumph, he made five appearances, including three starts. Notably, his start in Game 4 of the World Series was outstanding, as he pitched five innings of one-run ball, contributing to the Rangers’ thrilling 11-7 victory.
Despite transitioning to a bullpen role toward the end of the regular season due to the acquisitions of Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery, Heaney has solidified his place in the Rangers’ rotation alongside Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, and Dane Dunning.
José Leclerc, the longest-tenured member of the World Series-winning squad, had a remarkable regular season as a reliable relief pitcher. He recorded four saves and maintained an impressive 2.68 ERA across 57 appearances. Leclerc’s contributions were especially significant during the postseason, where he appeared in 13 games, posting a 3.29 ERA, saving four games, and securing a win. Remarkably, his 13 postseason outings tied for the third-highest total in a single postseason.
At the beginning of the season, Leclerc served as the Rangers’ closer. However, a period of struggles with command and control led to a loss of trust from the coaching staff in high-leverage situations. Manager Bruce Bochy attributed these early difficulties to a nagging neck issue. Once fully healthy, Leclerc regained his form and demonstrated the skills that the Rangers had anticipated when they signed him as an international free agent in 2010.
Both Heaney and Leclerc will be eligible for free agency after the 2024 season. Until then, the Rangers can rely on their contributions as they strive for continued success.