\nKyle Higashioka<\/a>, C: $7MM mutual option for 2027 ($1MM buyout)
\nJakob Junis<\/a>, RP: $5MM mutual option for 2027 ($1.25MM buyout)<\/p>\n
Arbitration-Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; projected salaries courtesy of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz<\/a>)<\/p>\n Free Agents<\/p>\n Pederson, Higashioka, Junis, Cal Quantrill<\/a>, Tyler Alexander<\/a>, Nicky Lopez<\/a>, Elias Diaz<\/a>, Jordan Montgomery<\/a>, Jalen Beeks<\/a>, Trevor Williams<\/a>, Joe Ross<\/a><\/p>\n Since winning the World Series in 2023, the Rangers have followed up with a 74-88 record in 2024, an even 81-81 record in 2025, and this year\u2019s 80-82 mark.\u00a0 The spending spree that led to the Rangers\u2019 championship and gave the team a top-seven payroll from 2023-25 has now been scaled back, as Texas\u2019 approximate payroll of $192.8MM puts the team right in the middle of the pack at 15th of 30 teams (as per MLBTR\u2019s Payroll Tracker<\/a>).<\/p>\n Given how ownership has made a point of reducing spending, something in the range of that $192.8MM number figures to be the Rangers\u2019 ceiling.\u00a0 Between the $115.5MM committed to the five players under guaranteed contracts, and an estimated $28.6MM in arbitration salaries if Jake Burger<\/a> and Logan O\u2019Hoppe<\/a> are non-tendered (which isn\u2019t a lock), that puts Texas at around $144.1MM, plus some money naturally needed for the players on minimum salaries.<\/p>\n That gives president of baseball operations Chris Young a limited amount of spending flexibility, but not much or any room for big splashes in free agency.\u00a0 Young will likely have to again get creative in addressing roster needs, as he did last season in the one-for-one swap<\/a> that sent Marcus Semien<\/a> to the Mets for Brandon Nimmo and $5MM in salary offset.\u00a0 While Nimmo is owed more money over the long term than Semien, Nimmo was still productive if unspectacular in his first season in Arlington, whereas Semien\u2019s production cratered in New York.<\/p>\n In terms of clearing more money off the books, trading any of Nimmo, Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom, or Corey Seager is easier said that done.\u00a0 All four players have full no-trade protection, now that Seager achieved 10-and-5 rights by the end of the 2026 season.\u00a0 Texas reportedly asked<\/a> Eovaldi, deGrom, and Seager about the possibility of being traded at midseason, and deGrom used his no-trade clause<\/a> to stay put (which may have ended talks between the Rangers and Braves about a possible deal).<\/p>\n
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