Thursday Newsletter time: Three Texas Rangers become free agents as offseason begins in earnest following World Series
Thursday Newsletter time: Three Texas Rangers become free agents as offseason begins in earnest following World Series
Among the 160 MLB players who hit free agency Wednesday are five premier shortstops, including Trevor Story.
The 2021 MLB season is officially over, thanks to the Atlanta Braves’ 7-0 victory Tuesday over the Houston Astros to clinch the World Series in six games.
No matter which team is your favorite, baseball fans can all agree that it was great to have baseball back for a full 162-game season and without those damn cardboard cutouts.
Real people at real games helped make things seem somewhat normal again.
Now it’s on to the offseason, which might not be normal at all. Labor strife has many predicting a work stoppage early next month, though the owners and players have four weeks to work through their differences and find common ground on a new collective bargaining agreement.
It’s worth reminding that whenever there is a deadline in baseball, things almost always go down to the final minutes.
While the sides hammer away at the CBA, baseball business will be conducted. It was conducted Wednesday throughout the league, and with the Seattle Mariners catching a big break when Yusei Kikuchi declined a $13 million player option.
That’s more money for the Texas Rangers’ division foe to spend, and possibly compete with the same players the Rangers have targeted.
Players officially became free agents Wednesday morning, and they have five days before they can sign with another team. All option decisions must be settled by Sunday.
That’s also the day teams must add players on the 60-day injured list to the 40-man roster, and extend qualifying offers to their free agents.
The Rangers won’t be extending offers to any of their three — right-hander Jordan Lyles and infielders Charlie Culberson and Brock Holt — but probably will try to sign players who do receive one. Those players have 10 days to accept or decline the offer of a one-year, $18.4 million contract.
The Rangers have seven players on the 60-day IL to reinstate and only six spots open on the 40-man. That will spell bad news for one players, who could be added to the growing list of free agents or be outrighted to the minor leagues.
It’s about to get busy.
About the Rangers’ free agents …
This might be unpopular, but don’t be surprised if the Rangers re-sign two of their three free agents.
One could be Lyles, who fits the mold of the kind of free-agent starting pitcher the Rangers could seek this offseason. He’s durable, eats innings and is a veteran who can show younger guys the ropes. He wasn’t particularly good in his two seasons with the Rangers, but he was better down the stretch to end this season.
Culberson is the other, and he gets the nod over Holt, a Tarrant County resident, because he’s more versatile. Culberson also has a relationship with manager Chris Woodward that predates this season.
Both were spectacular on the mound, though in different ways. Culberson can actually pitch, whereas Holt’s performance at Oakland might have been one of the Rangers’ 10 best highlights of the season.
It was definitely No. 1 in comic relief.
The more veteran players the Rangers have, the more time they buy to keep prospects in the minors. Those young players also yearn for leadership, and Lyles and Culberson can provide that even though they aren’t star players.
They’re MLB players who know how to survive a 162-game season and how to be a professional. Those are two things young players must learn.
ICYMI …
Been busy? Me, too. Here’s the latest at the Texas Rangers Newsletter in case you missed it.
Free-agent predictions for the Rangers.
Due diligence on Josh Bonifay.
Ron Washington and an NFL legend.
Doggy video!
This applies to my dogs and also to other people’s kids vs. my kids. Enjoy. See you Friday.
Thanks, Jeff. I look forward to the offseason more and more, and I wouldn't mind one bit if the Rangers bring back Lyles and Culberson. It makes sense.