On Wednesday, MLB.com Rangers beat reporter Kennedi Landry held an Ask Me Anything on Reddit with fans at r/TexasRangers to kick off the new year. This mailbag features questions and answers from there. The full AMA can be read here. Questions and responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
Do you think the Rangers might still be looking for a second base regular or are they going to rely on Josh Smith at that position?
This was a hot topic of conversation at the Winter Meetings last month and it sounds like the Rangers are mostly looking to fill second base internally. Between Smith, Ezequiel Duran, Cody Freeman, Sam Haggerty and more, they definitely have options.
I wouldn’t say it’s Smith’s job to lose, but the Rangers definitely want him to be the one to earn the job and hold onto it for the entire season. Smith has shown himself to be a quality utilityman for Texas, but in each of the last two seasons, he’s fallen off a cliff in the second half offensively.
“He’s probably the most established Major Leaguer [of the internal options],” said president of baseball operations Chris Young. “Does that mean he’s getting the first shot? I mean, you can make what you want. The player who comes into camp and earns the job will be the second baseman. But Smitty, the good version of him, I think it lends itself towards believing it’s his job to win. But he’s got to go do it.”
What’s your prediction for the starting rotation for Opening Day?
The top three are pretty obvious, I’d say.
Then you could go a number of ways. I, personally, would pencil in a relatively cheap veteran starter that the Rangers have been shown to sign over the last few years. Think Michael Lorenzen, Tyler Mahle, Patrick Corbin type. Chris Young is obviously always looking for depth in the rotation.
Then, as of now, I would guess Kumar Rocker rounds out the rotation. He had an up-and-down rookie year, obviously (5.74 ERA in 64 1/3 IP). But now he’s got some big league experience under his belt and put it all together for a rotation looking to build off the 2025 success.
Prospects like Jose Corniell and Winston Santos will likely open the season in Triple-A, though they could definitely be major contributors to the big league club sooner rather than later.
Edit: Just remembered I forgot about Jake Latz! GM Ross Fenstermaker said at the Winter Meetings that he’s building up to be a starter, but potentially continue to be used in a swingman type role by the time Opening Day rolls around. I think he’ll be one of the more interesting players to watch in Spring Training as the staff figures out the best way to use him.
1. Roster projections?
2. AA or AAA players that could make a difference/on the team at the end of Spring Training or early in the season.
3. I would ask about free agents but as I understand it our current budget will not sustain any significant signings.
And I have one comment, I am not excited about this upcoming season so what is a reason to have some excitement?
I don’t have any major takes to this point. The position player group doesn’t appear to have any surprises, with a lot of the positions close to solidified. I think the pitching side is likely where we’ll see more surprises. And I do think it would be really fun if Emiliano Teodo played his way into the Opening Day bullpen.
I think any of those young pitching prospects in the upper levels of the Minors could make a major impact. Corniell, Santos, Teodo, even a David Davalillo or Leandro Lopez. All of these guys, especially those top three, have a big opportunity to contribute in 2026.
I think the Rangers could still add another free agent or two, particularly on the pitching side. But you’re correct that it likely won’t be a big splash like they’ve done the last few years.
And I think one reason to be excited, at the very least, is the opportunity to watch Wyatt Langford try to make a big leap into his third big league season. It feels like he’s primed to make a big impact, especially considering he’s already the second best position player on the team.
