The Texas Rangers are on a mission to strengthen their roster and make a strong push for the playoffs. With a focus on bolstering their pitching, the team is eyeing two key free agents who could be game-changers. But here's where it gets controversial... Let's dive into the two arms the Rangers should pursue, and why they could be the missing pieces to their puzzle.
Zack Littell: The Prime-Age Starter
Zack Littell, a former Tampa Bay Ray turned Cincinnati Reds starter, is a prime candidate to join the Rangers' rotation. With experience under his belt and arguably in his prime years, Littell could be the veteran presence the team needs. According to Spotrac.com, his projected market value of $12.9 million per year makes him an affordable option for Texas. His four-seam fastball generated a whiff rate of 22.5% in 2025, and opponents hit just above .200 against it. Additionally, Littell pitched to a 3.81 ERA in 186.2 innings, a career-high, and rarely walked batters, only 32 in the entire campaign. For a team looking to compete in the AL West, a Littell signing could give them the extra oomph they've been seeking.
Michael Kopech: The Elite Reliever
Michael Kopech, a Texas native, is another free agent who could make a lot of sense for the Rangers' bullpen. While he only played in 14 games last season, Kopech has elite stuff when he's healthy. The Rangers signed Alexis Diaz to a one-year contract earlier this offseason, hoping he can bounce back to his ways when he was with the Reds. But adding Kopech alongside Diaz would give the Rangers a nice one-two punch at the backend of the bullpen. He does get a little wild from time to time, but when his fastball finds the strike zone, it's one of the more difficult pitches to catch up to. Coming off a season where he made $5.2 million for 14 games, Texas could maneuver its way to a contract that provides Kopech and the franchise upside.
So, what do you think? Are these the two arms the Rangers should pursue? Or do you have a different take on their free agency targets? Let us know in the comments below!
