The Texas Rangers are heading into the 2026 season with a fresh look-and not just in the dugout. Skip Schumaker is taking over managerial duties after Bruce Bochy and the club mutually decided to part ways last September. Schumaker inherits a roster in transition, one that’s seen both notable additions and some tough departures this offseason.
Let’s start with the new faces. The Rangers have brought in catcher Danny Jansen, relievers Alexis Diaz and Chris Martin, and left-hander Tyler Alexander.
Each of those names brings something to the table-Jansen offers veteran stability behind the plate, Diaz brings late-inning heat, Martin adds playoff-tested composure, and Alexander gives them a versatile arm who can start or relieve. It’s not a full-scale overhaul, but these are the kinds of moves that can quietly shape a season.
But with every addition, there’s subtraction-and Texas has lost some serious firepower. Marcus Semien, Adolis García, and Jonah Heim are all gone, and that’s a trio that meant a lot to this team’s identity.
Semien was the heartbeat of the infield. García brought thunder to the middle of the order and a cannon in the outfield.
Heim was a glue guy behind the plate. Losing all three in one offseason?
That’s no small thing.
And in the AL West, there’s no room to take a step back. Seattle looks ready to make a serious push, and while Houston may have stumbled in 2025, counting them out is never a good idea. The division is going to be a grind, and the Rangers will need to find answers quickly if they want to stay in the mix.
One move that could help bring some clarity? Trading Jake Burger.
Now, we’re not talking about a blockbuster here, but this could be the kind of roster tweak that sets the stage for something bigger. Burger didn’t see time at third base last season, and his bat-which once brought consistent pop with an OPS north of .760-took a step back. He’s not unplayable, but he’s not untouchable either, especially when you consider who’s waiting in the wings.
That would be Abimelec Ortiz, the club’s No. 12 prospect. The 24-year-old lefty slugger has been turning heads in the minors, and he’s knocking on the door for a shot at regular big-league at-bats.
Right now, Burger is standing in his way. And when you add in the fact that moving Burger would clear a couple million off the books, it starts to look like a logical next step.
This isn’t just about saving money-it’s about maximizing opportunity. Ortiz brings a different kind of upside.
He’s younger, cheaper, and potentially part of the next core. Giving him a shot could inject some much-needed energy into a lineup that lost some of its spark this winter.
Trades tend to heat up as spring training approaches, and the Rangers should be open for business. If the right deal comes along, moving Burger could be a win-win-clearing space for a rising talent while giving the front office a little more flexibility.
The 2026 Rangers are a team in transition. New leadership, new faces, and some big shoes to fill.
But there’s also opportunity here-opportunity to reshape the roster, redefine the lineup, and maybe even uncover the next breakout star. Keep an eye on how they navigate the next few weeks.
The decisions they make now could go a long way in determining how competitive they’ll be once the games start to count.
