The Rangers on Tuesday agreed to a minor league deal with infielder Jonah Bride, who had something of a breakout under new Texas manager Skip Schumaker in 2024, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Dallas Morning News.
The deal includes an invitation to major league spring training where Bride could fight for a spot as a backup corner infielder. ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the deal.
Bride, who turns 30 on Dec. 27, slashed .276/.357/.461/.818 in 71 games and 272 plate appearances for the Marlins in 2024. It stands out, at the moment, as the anomaly in his career. In the other three seasons in which he’s appeared in the majors, he’s never had an OPS higher than .548.
Bride, a right-handed hitter, has appeared at every infield position other than shortstop in his 214-game career.
Rangers
With the Rangers dealing Marcus Semien to the Mets on Monday and likely giving Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran a chance to form a platoon at second and act as the backup shortstop, there is need for backup infield depth and competition. With Cody Freeman and Michael Helman both on hand, the Rangers have a pair of options. Bride gives them a third.
Bride split last season between the Miami and Minnesota organizations, but he posted just a .436 OPS in 125 plate appearances and took free agency after the season.
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