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The Texas Rangers have been transparent about their offseason direction as spring training approaches. After an 81–81 finish that left them short of the postseason, Texas is not planning another sweeping offensive reset. President of baseball operations Chris Young has instead emphasized a narrower, more urgent focus: fixing a pitching staff that looked strong in stretches but failed in too many decisive moments.

That focus starts—and arguably ends—with the bullpen. While the Rangers posted solid surface-level numbers in 2025, the underlying results told a harsher story. Texas blew 29 saves and absorbed 30 bullpen losses, a combination that quietly sabotaged what could have been a playoff-caliber season. Sports Illustrated recently zeroed in on that flaw, identifying two arms the Rangers should consider as they attempt to stabilize a group that remains volatile.

Why the Rangers’ Bullpen Remains the Biggest Question Mark

On paper, the Rangers’ bullpen ERA ranked among the league’s better units last season. In practice, it consistently failed to protect late leads. That disconnect is exactly why Texas entered the winter determined to add pitching rather than chase more bats.

The Rangers have already made modest moves. They signed Alexis Díaz to a one-year deal in hopes of a rebound and re-signed veteran Chris Martin to serve as a stabilizing presence in high-leverage spots. Díaz is the tentative favorite to close games, with Martin sliding into a setup role. But neither move guarantees reliability. Díaz struggled badly in 2025, bouncing between organizations and never regaining his prior form, while Martin profiles more as a dependable bridge than a true stopper.

That leaves Texas exposed if either falters. As ESPN’s midwinter evaluations have suggested, the Rangers’ bullpen still projects as a weakness unless more reinforcements arrive. For a team trying to squeeze maximum value out of a roster built around expensive stars and fragile pitching depth, that risk is difficult to justify.

Sports Illustrated’s Targets Fit Texas’ Pitching-First Approach

Sports Illustrated highlighted Michael Kopech as a potential bullpen solution, and the fit makes sense. When healthy, Kopech features elite velocity and swing-and-miss ability, traits the Rangers’ bullpen lacks in volume. Injuries, including a torn meniscus, limited him to just 14 appearances last season, but the upside remains undeniable.

For Texas, Kopech represents a calculated gamble rather than a franchise-altering move. He wouldn’t need to be “the guy.” Instead, he could form a late-inning trio with Díaz and Martin, giving Bruce Bochy multiple matchup options instead of a single, fragile hierarchy. If Kopech clicks, the bullpen suddenly has teeth. If not, the financial risk would likely remain manageable.

Sports Illustrated also pointed to Zack Littell as a rotation target, reinforcing the broader organizational theme. Texas isn’t shopping for offense. The front office believes a healthy lineup featuring Corey Seager, Wyatt Langford, and Brandon Nimmo can score enough. What it doesn’t trust is the pitching depth—particularly in games that hinge on the final nine outs.

That reality makes bullpen help the most impactful upgrade the Rangers can still make. Last season proved that Texas doesn’t need dominance; it needs dependability. Turning even a fraction of those blown saves into wins could be the difference between watching October baseball and playing in it.

If the Rangers are serious about changing the trajectory of their season, adding another credible late-inning arm isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly MLB. More about Alvin Garcia