Monday newsletter time: Rangers have acted fast in past. This offseason may be different
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
History shows that the Rangers typically aren’t the busiest team in baseball’s hot stove league the first few weeks that business is open, so don’t fret that lack of news after one week of free agency.
However, they typically are busy from mid-November through early December, just before the winter meetings.
In the recent past, the Rangers agreed to terms with Marcus Semien, Corey Seager and Jon Gray in 2021 at the end of November. The deals were announced Dec. 1. The Rangers agreed with Jacob deGrom last year in late November before announcing the deal Dec. 2.
Trades for Nathaniel Lowe and Dane Dunning were struck in early December.
But the caveat this offseason is how fast Shohei Ohtani wants to move. He’s controlling the market. Only one team can sign him, and the also-rans will still have money to spend. The top free agents might be willing to wait on Ohtani before choosing where to sign.
The Rangers, though, are the world champs. If they determine to not pursue Ohtani, they could jump at the top of the market and get the guys they want. The list would likely be headed by starting pitchers, including Jordan Montgomery and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
If Yamamoto is better than Kodai Senga, the big Japanese import from last offseason, the Rangers might prioritize him over Montgomery. Senga was excellent as a rookie for the Mets, and Yamamoto is younger.
Once Yamamoto is posted by his team in Japan, the Orix Buffaloes, teams will have 45 days to reach a deal with him. He is expected to be posted soon.
Trophy pics
The Commissioner’s Trophy, given to the Rangers for winning the World Series, is residing at Globe Life Field, and the Rangers are giving fans the chance to see it and pose for pictures with it.
Fans can take tours of the ballpark that include time with the trophy. The tours are limited. In fact, there are a few today and then no more until Sunday, pending changes to the schedule that can be found here.
Tickets are available here. With many people enjoying multiple days off for Thanksgiving, next week might be a good time to schedule a tour. They are available every day except Thanksgiving.
As far championship trophies go, the Stanley Cup is the best trophy of the four major sports leagues. The Lombardi Trophy is easy to handle. The Larry O’Brien Trophy is pretty plain. The Commissioner’s Trophy is, at least, creative, but it might be the least known.
The Rangers are getting to know it, and now fans can, too.
Spring tickets
The best baseball trip a family can make is to spring training. It’s as close as a fan will ever get to the players and coaches as they go through their workouts on the back fields, and the smaller ballparks allow for fans to be close to the action.
Make plans now. Individual tickets go on sale Tuesday at texasrangers.com. The Rangers will play 17 games at Surprise Stadium. The gate to the back fields usually opens around 9:30 a.m. or 10. In addition to the big-league players, the minor-leaguers are there working out, too.
Rangers Today will make more than trip to Arizona this spring. Camp is likely to break March 23, and the Rangers will come home for exhibition games March 25 and March 26 at Globe Life Field.
Opening Day is scheduled for March 28 at home against the Cubs.
ICYMI …
The Wilsons were busy, busy over the weekend, with the kids playing a combined seven games in three different sports. There was also a birthday, which forced a poorly planned shopping trip. The silver lining is that we caught a glimpse of At Long Last at the local Barnes and Noble.
In between all of that, I managed to knock out my last freelance assignment and the Sunday Read. Hopefully, Rangers Today can have a normal one this week. The following is a thin listing of our latest content and some other opportunities, in case you missed it.
The Sunday Read: 40-man adds?
Rangers apparel from In the Clutch (enter RANGERSTODAY for a discount)
Official Rangers World Series gear from Fanatics
At Long Last commemorative book (click the tweet below)
Relive with the #Rangers' run to the World Series via Rangers Today and @TriumphBooks, which has taken the greatest hits from the 2023 season and compiled a commemorative tribute book of the 2023 world champs. Preorder now. https://t.co/FhNy70Tn2I pic.twitter.com/owA9lNYRKo
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) November 7, 2023
Doggy video!
I feel you, bruh. Enjoy.
— out of context dogs (@contextdogs) November 10, 2023
Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com
How many people are there at spring training? Is there any cahnce to talk to the beat reporters and/or players? Do they do autographs during spring training?
Crowds vary by spring break scheduled. Mid-March is usually pretty crowded. There are chance to talk to reporters. Big league-players are a little hard to engage. Autographs aplenty.
Thank you! I’d love to run into you and talk about that 3-headed monster of Hader/Bednar/Clase going into ST! If I do show up, it will be in a deGrom jersey or a WS champions one!