The Texas Rangers are quietly rebuilding their bullpen this offseason, and their latest move brings back a familiar-if fleeting-face. Right-hander Nabil Crismatt, who just turned 31 on Christmas Day, is reportedly returning to the organization on a minor league deal with a spring training invite in hand. It’s a low-risk signing, but one that could pay off for both sides.
Now, if you’re scratching your head trying to remember Crismatt in a Rangers uniform, you’re not alone. His first stint with Texas was brief-just eight games with Triple-A Round Rock in 2024 before he was released in June. But fast forward to today, and Crismatt is getting another shot, this time with a clearer path to the big-league bullpen.
This signing is part of a broader trend for the Rangers this winter. Since the start of free agency in November, they’ve added 11 players on minor league deals-five of them pitchers. The bullpen competition is wide open, and the front office is clearly casting a wide net to find reliable arms ahead of Opening Day.
Crismatt joins a group that includes Declan Cronin, Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa, Gavin Collyer, and Anthony Veneziano. It’s a mix of journeymen, prospects, and project arms-exactly the kind of group you expect to see battling it out in Surprise, Arizona, come spring.
For Crismatt, this marks his second go-around with the Rangers and his eighth organization since signing with the Mets back in 2012. Despite that long journey, he’s pitched in the majors for just four teams.
His most recent stint came in 2025 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he turned in a solid showing: eight games, five starts, a 3-0 record, 3.71 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and nine walks over 34 innings. That kind of production, especially in a swingman role, gives him a real shot to stick with the Rangers this time around.
Texas’ bullpen is in flux. Many of last year’s relievers have moved on, and the team has responded by bringing in a wave of low-cost, high-upside options. It’s a strategy that may not generate headlines, but it creates opportunity-for players like Crismatt and for a Rangers team looking to build depth without breaking the bank.
For Crismatt, this is more than just another stop on the baseball map. It’s a legitimate chance to carve out a role on a big-league roster. And for the Rangers, it’s another piece in the puzzle as they try to stabilize a bullpen that’s still very much under construction.
Rangers Watch AL West Rivals Make Bold Offseason Moves They Skipped
The Texas Rangers have taken a quieter approach to this offseason, with their only major move being the trade of Marcus Semien for outfielder Brandon Nimmo. While that deal addresses a need in the outfield, it also leaves a gaping hole in the middle infield – and fans are right to wonder if the Rangers have done enough to stay competitive in an increasingly aggressive AL West.
Meanwhile, division rivals have been busy making moves that directly strengthen their rosters – and in some cases, weaken the Rangers by comparison. Let’s break down three additions by AL West opponents that could make life tougher for Texas in 2026.
1. Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels: A Rotation Boost Texas Could’ve Used
Pitching depth was already a concern for the Rangers heading into the winter, and it’s only grown murkier. Tyler Mahle is still a free agent, Kumar Rocker hasn’t found consistent command or velocity post-injury, and Patrick Corbin looks like he’s on his way out. That leaves some real uncertainty at the back end of the rotation.
Enter the Angels, who saw that same opportunity and acted on it – acquiring 26-year-old right-hander Grayson Rodriguez. It’s a savvy play for a team that, like Texas, needed more stability on the mound.
Rodriguez missed the entire 2025 season with an elbow injury, but his pre-injury numbers with the Orioles speak volumes: a 20-8 record, 4.11 ERA, and 1.29 WHIP over the 2023 and 2024 seasons. That’s solid middle-of-the-rotation production, and at his age, there’s still upside to tap into.
The Rangers could’ve used that kind of arm – someone who doesn’t just eat innings but gives you a chance to win every fifth day. Instead, they’ll now face him multiple times a season, watching up close what might have been.
2. Josh Naylor Stays in the West – But Not in Arlington
Josh Naylor had been on the Rangers’ radar for a while. He was a clear fit at first base – a position that’s been a revolving door in Arlington – and his bat brings the kind of left-handed power that plays well in the Texas heat.
But when the Arizona Diamondbacks made him available last season, it was the Mariners – not the Rangers – who stepped up and made the deal. That move gave Seattle a leg up in free agency this winter, and they capitalized, locking up the 28-year-old on a five-year contract.
Naylor’s career slash line of .269 with an average of 23 homers and 95 RBIs per 162 games isn’t elite, but it’s consistent, productive, and exactly what the Rangers could’ve used. Instead, they’re rolling into 2026 with Jake Burger penciled in at first base. Burger’s 2025 season – .236 average, 16 home runs, 53 RBIs, and multiple stints on the injured list – didn’t inspire much confidence, and expecting a major leap forward feels risky.
Seattle saw the opportunity and took it. Texas watched it pass by.
3. Jeff McNeil to the A’s: A Quiet Move with Big Implications
The Athletics aren’t usually the team making headlines in the offseason, but their acquisition of Jeff McNeil was a quietly important move – especially in the context of the Rangers’ own roster shake-up.
With Marcus Semien now in New York, the Rangers are suddenly searching for answers at second base. Josh Smith is expected to get the first crack at the job, but asking a utility player to step into the shoes of a Gold Glove defender and World Series cornerstone is a tall order.
McNeil, meanwhile, brings a steady veteran presence to Oakland’s infield. He’s not a superstar, but he’s a proven big-league starter with a career .284 average and enough pop to contribute offensively. He’s also versatile, capable of playing multiple infield spots – something that gives the A’s flexibility and stability.
That’s exactly the type of profile the Rangers could’ve used to bridge the gap left by Semien – a reliable, everyday player who doesn’t need to be flashy to be effective. Instead, they’ll hope that Smith can rise to the occasion, while watching McNeil settle in comfortably with a division rival.
Final Thoughts
While the Rangers made a bold move in acquiring Brandon Nimmo, their overall offseason has been relatively quiet – and in a division that’s getting more competitive by the day, that silence might be costly. The Angels added a potential rotation anchor.
The Mariners locked down a power bat at a position of need. The A’s quietly solidified their infield.
The Rangers? They’ve got more questions than answers.
There’s still time before Opening Day, but if Texas is serious about defending their division crown – or even making another deep postseason run – they’ll need to address some of these holes. Because right now, the rest of the AL West isn’t waiting around.
