It’s been a rocky season for the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers. After riding a magic carpet to their first ever World Series title, they’ve fallen on hard times in 2024.
The team is 55-63 after losing two out of three this past weekend to the New York Yankees. However, they appear to have their sights set on contending again in 2025.
According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, Texas is likely to be in the running for Shane Bieber.
“He could wait to sign until he is healthy, but it’s more likely that some team gives him a two-year deal at a reduced rate and takes a chance on his rehabilitation since he’s a front-of-the-rotation starter when right,” Bowden wrote. “He will be an intriguing pitcher to monitor in free agency, with teams like the Dodgers and Rangers likely to take that type of gamble on a former Cy Young Award winner who won’t turn 30 until next May.”
Texas would be an interesting fit for Bieber, and they may have some holes to fill. With Nathan Eovaldi likely landing on the injured list, he may ultimately miss out on his opportunity to reach the 300-inning threshold over the past two seasons.
That would mean Eovaldi’s vesting option would not kick in for 2025, which would leave a hole to fill for the Rangers. Bieber won a Cy Young Award back in 2020 and has been one of the game’s top pitchers for several years.
At a reduced rate, he could make sense for the Rangers. He would join a healthy Jacob deGrom at the top of the team’s rotation when he finally comes back from his injury, and that would certainly make the Rangers a threat to compete.
It will be interesting to see how Bieber’s market develops this coming winter.