Two years removed from hoisting the franchise’s first World Series trophy, the Texas Rangers find themselves at a crossroads. The past two seasons have been anything but championship-caliber, and this winter was always going to be pivotal.

With back-to-back underwhelming campaigns in the rearview, the front office couldn’t afford to let a short slump spiral into a long-term slide. So, how are things shaping up in Arlington heading into 2026?

According to president of baseball operations Chris Young, the club is feeling confident-at least when it comes to the position players.

“I think from a position player standpoint, we feel pretty good,” Young said recently.

And looking at the roster, there’s reason to believe he’s not just putting on a brave face. Even after high-profile departures-Marcus Semien, Adolis García, and Jonah Heim are all gone-the Rangers still have a foundation to work with.

Corey Seager remains the centerpiece, and he’s now paired with rising star Wyatt Langford, who’s quickly becoming one of the most exciting young bats in the American League. That duo gives Texas a legitimate offensive core to build around.

But let’s not pretend all the questions have been answered.

The Rangers’ lineup still has plenty of “ifs” attached to it. Take Brandon Nimmo, for example.

Acquired from the Mets in the deal that sent Semien to New York, Nimmo brings a different skill set to the table-on-base ability, solid defense, and veteran experience. But how will his game translate to Globe Life Field?

Arlington isn’t Citi Field, and the AL West isn’t the NL East. That adjustment period could be key.

Then there’s Jake Burger. His first season in a Rangers uniform didn’t go as planned, and Texas needs more than just power potential from him-they need production. If he can bounce back, it would go a long way toward stabilizing the middle of the lineup.

Catcher is another area under the microscope. Kyle Higashioka and Danny Jansen are tasked with filling the void left by Heim, and while both bring defensive chops, the question is whether they can provide enough offense to keep opposing pitchers honest. The Rangers haven’t gotten much production from the catching spot the past two years, and that needs to change if they want to contend.

Health, as always, will play a huge role. Josh Jung and Evan Carter have the tools to be impact players, but both have dealt with injuries.

If they can stay on the field, they could provide a serious boost to the lineup. And don’t overlook Josh Smith at second base.

With Semien gone, Smith is likely to see a larger role, and the Rangers are hoping he can deliver consistent, quality at-bats over a full 162-game grind.

So yes, Chris Young has earned the benefit of the doubt-after all, he helped architect the team that finally brought a title to Texas. But this season feels like a litmus test.

If the revamped offense clicks, and the young core continues to grow, the Rangers could be right back in the playoff mix. If not, it’ll be three straight years without October baseball-and the glow of that 2024 championship will start to fade just a little faster.