Three New Year’s Resolutions the Texas Rangers Need to Make in 2026

The Texas Rangers aren’t far removed from hoisting a World Series trophy, but the shine of that title has faded fast. After missing the playoffs two straight years and watching their offensive output take a nosedive, the franchise enters 2026 at a crossroads. The core that carried them to glory in 2023 has largely been dismantled, and the whispers around potential trades involving stars like Jacob deGrom and Corey Seager are starting to get louder.

With Skip Schumaker taking over in the dugout and a new-look coaching staff in place, the Rangers are hoping to hit the reset button. But hope alone won’t cut it. If Texas wants to call this season a step forward – and maybe even keep this roster intact – there are three key things they need to accomplish.

1. Get the Team Batting Average Back Over .250

Let’s start with the most glaring issue: the bats just haven’t been there. In 2025, the Rangers hit a collective .234 – fourth-worst in the majors.

That’s a long way from the .263 clip they posted during their championship run in 2023. The goal now?

Get that number up to at least .250.

That might not sound like a massive leap, but in today’s pitching-heavy environment, it would put them back above league average and trending in the right direction. And with Schumaker now steering the ship and Justin Viele leading the hitting staff, there’s reason to believe a philosophical shift is coming – one that emphasizes contact, situational hitting, and getting on base over simply swinging for the fences.

This isn’t about abandoning power – it’s about balance. And for a team that’s struggled to string together consistent offense, that balance could be the key to unlocking a much-needed turnaround.

2. Get a 30-Homer Season from Somebody

While the offensive focus may be shifting toward contact and consistency, power still matters – especially when you’ve got the kind of lineup that should be capable of going deep. The Rangers didn’t have a single player crack the 30-home run mark last season.

Wyatt Langford led the team with 22, followed closely by Corey Seager with 21. That’s solid production, but not the kind of pop that puts fear into opposing pitchers.

Langford is the most intriguing candidate to break that barrier. Not only does he have the raw power to hit 30 bombs, but he’s also got the speed to flirt with a 30-30 season – something Rangers fans haven’t seen since Ian Kinsler did it back in 2011. If Langford can take that next step in his development, he could become the offensive centerpiece this team has been missing.

Seager, of course, remains a key piece – but his health will be the swing factor. If he can stay on the field for 120+ games, he’s got the bat to reach 30 homers.

Beyond those two, the Rangers will be looking for bounce-back power from guys like Joc Pederson, Jake Burger, and Josh Jung. If even one of them finds their groove, it could be the jolt this lineup needs.

3. Get Back to October Baseball

This one’s simple – and critical. The Rangers need to get back to the postseason. After two years on the outside looking in, it’s time to return to the October spotlight.

We saw it in 2023: once Texas got in, they turned it on. Despite limping into the playoffs that year – losing three of their last four games – they flipped the switch when it mattered most. The bats woke up, the pitching locked in, and everything clicked at just the right time.

To get back to that stage, the Rangers will need a few things to break their way. First, they need Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi to stay healthy and lead the rotation.

That’s a big ask, but not impossible. If Jack Leiter can also take a leap and establish himself as a reliable arm, it would go a long way toward stabilizing the staff.

Then there’s the bullpen – a group that’s felt more like a patchwork experiment than a cohesive unit. If they can find a rhythm and settle into defined roles, the Rangers could suddenly look a lot more dangerous in close games.

The Bottom Line

The Rangers don’t need a miracle in 2026 – they just need progress. Raise the team batting average.

Get someone to 30 homers. Make it back to the playoffs.

Do those three things, and this season becomes more than just a rebuilding year – it becomes a statement that Texas is still very much in the fight.

Because while the roster may look different from that 2023 title team, the expectations haven’t changed. And if the Rangers can check off these resolutions, it might just be the spark that reignites a championship-caliber run.