Countdown to Uncertainty: Texas Rangers’ Pitching Puzzle for the 2024 Season

With the World Series title on the line, Globe Life Field is set to burst at the seams in three months as the Texas Rangers aim to defend their crown. However, there’s a cloud of questions hovering over their pitching staff that demands attention.

The injury list will welcome several starting pitchers, including illustrious five-time Cy Young Award winners. The bullpen, despite its impressive postseason performance, struggled with the lowest regular-season save percentage among playoff contenders. The team made offseason acquisitions in Trevor Mahle and Kirby Yates, but both come with their fair share of uncertainties.

The Rangers find themselves in need of further reinforcements, but financial constraints and TV revenue uncertainties have put a dent in their free agency spending. Owner Ray Davis is hesitant to cross the luxury tax threshold, and the ongoing bankruptcy reorganization of Diamond Sports, the parent company of Bally Sports Southwest, adds further complexity to the Rangers’ financial predicament.

In the absence of major signings, speculation about the 2024 roster has begun to swirl. The predicted lineup includes catchers Jonah Heim and potentially Curt Casali. Heim impressed in the 2023 season and is expected to maintain his stellar performance. The infield boasts talents like Nathaniel Lowe, Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Josh Jung, Ezequiel Duran, and Josh Smith. With such a formidable infield, the Rangers could potentially leverage some of their talent to bolster the pitching staff through trades.

The outfield features Evan Carter, Leody Taveras, Adolis García, Wyatt Langford, and a potential return of Travis Jankowski. Langford, a highly touted hitter, could take on the designated hitter role, while Carter or Taveras shift to center or right field. Jankowski would provide late-game defensive prowess and pinch-running skills.

The starting pitching rotation is bound to face challenges, with key pitchers starting the season on the injured list. The composition of a potential playoff rotation, including Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Trevor Mahle, remains uncertain. The Rangers may explore signing free agent starters, provided their financial situation allows it. Alternatively, they pin their hopes on prospects Zak Kent, Owen White, Cole Winn, and Jack Leiter to step up and fill the void in the rotation.

The bullpen showcases José Leclerc as the closer, supported by Josh Sborz, Kirby Yates, Brock Burke, Jake Latz, Jonathan Hernández, Diego Castillo, and potentially Jakob Junis. The addition of Kirby Yates, a former leader in NL saves, injects potential upside into the bullpen. However, the Rangers will need relievers capable of providing substantial innings.

In the end, the Rangers still have significant work ahead of them to solidify their pitching staff. Financial constraints and uncertainties surrounding TV revenues have limited their activity in free agency. The performance of their internal pitching prospects will play a pivotal role in determining their success in the upcoming season.