Questions and responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
When do you think the Rangers will make their first free-agent signing?
History in the Chris Young era has told us it will be during or around the Winter Meetings, which will start on Monday in Orlando. That’s not indicative of what will happen this winter, but the Rangers have been good at cooking up multiple things at once and dropping the news when you least expect it. It could be a busy week in Orlando as dominoes begin to fall around the league.
What do you think it’ll take for the Rangers to be contenders next year?
It goes without saying, but having an offense that isn’t bottom five in almost every major category would be a good place to start. That’s easier said than done, but the front office is obviously already taking steps in that direction. This roster is already looking a lot different with Adolis [García], Jonah [Heim] and Marcus [Semien] gone. There’s an additional new hitting coach in place on Skip [Schumaker’s] staff as well.
It’s unrealistic to expect the pitching staff to do the exact same thing next season, but if the rotation can remain in the top third of the league and the Rangers can produce a league-average offense, that spells contender to me.
What do you think of Victor Caratini as a catcher option for the Rangers? Is he affordable?
I think Caratini could be a perfect, semi-affordable option for the Rangers behind the plate. He hit .259/.324/.404 in 114 games for the Astros in 2025 and would pair well with Kyle Higashioka behind the plate. It doesn’t hurt that he has a history with new hitting coach Alex Cintrón, who held the same position for years with the Astros.
That being said, he is one of the best catchers on the open market, so that could potentially drive his price up. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Rangers explore trades for another catcher (and further depth at the catching position as well).
How do you feel about some of the younger, maybe looked over in the national media prospects? Anyone that you are a believer in that is a bit under the radar? Also, what is the deal with Paulino Santana? I like everything I’ve read about him but I have not seen him play in a game.
One guy I’m really excited for in 2026 is AJ Russell, the right-handed pitcher out of Tennessee. The Rangers selected him in the second round of the 2025 MLB Draft after a late-season return from Tommy John and seeing him with a starter’s workload will be really fun, especially with Texas’ recent success with developing starting pitching throughout the system.
I haven’t had a chance to see Santana play in person yet, though he dominated the DSL in 2024 and did get a promotion to Single-A Hickory this season. He could shoot up the Rangers prospects rankings as he adjusts to A-ball in 2026.
Which players do you think will need to make the biggest jump in quality in order for us to make the postseason?
Maybe not just, per se, but I think a healthy Evan Carter can go so far for the Rangers. We’ve all seen what he can do when his body is right and he just hasn’t fully gotten there since 2023. He can be an elite leadoff hitter, or really bat anywhere in the lineup, and really provide the plate appearances the Rangers were especially missing in 2025.
I also think Jake Burger figuring out the first half/second half splits — career .232/.277/.433 in the first half and .272/.330/.527 in the second half of a season — could do wonders for putting the Rangers in a position to succeed this season.
Burger also had multiple IL stints in 2025: June 21-July 2 with a left oblique strain, July 16-Aug. 7 with a left quadriceps injury and Aug. 18-Sept. 1 with the left wrist sprain. If he can be healthy and consistent across the entire season, the Rangers could be in a great place come September.
