Texas Rangers Morning Rundown: Rumors continue to encircle Team Stealth Mode

The Texas Rangers don’t talk business in the offseason, which is fine, but that doesn’t keep other teams, agents, media and fans from ginning up acquisitions.

Some nice folks work in the Texas Rangers’ front office. Really nice. Whatever comes to mind when thinking about the traits of a nice person, Rangers officials have them.

Except, for the most part, during the offseason. Text messages often go unanswered. Help is hard to come by, even when it would benefit them to help.

But that’s the way the Rangers operate in the offseason and at the trade deadline. Those are the two biggest periods for player acquisition, and the Rangers are adamant about not saying or doing anything that would impact their work on a free agent or a trade or a free agent’s market.

Leaks rarely come from the Rangers, and that’s fine.

So, don’t expect them to confirm their potential involvement for right-hander Corbin Burnes or the likelihood that they have talked to the Yankees about a trade involving first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. A Lowe trade was made possible by the trade for Jake Burger.

The Rangers want to add to their bullpen and recognize how vital a shutdown back-end pieces are. They would love, of course, to have free agents Kirby Yates, Tanner Scott or Carlos Estevez at closer in 2025, but they aren’t going to say that to any media.

So, local media has to pick their spots and deftly ask questions. For instance, rather than ask about their reported interested in outfielder Joc Pederson, last week a reporter asked what the Rangers’ interest level is in an additional bat.

“We feel really good about where our lineup is right now. Every position is basically accounted for,” president of baseball operations Chris Young said. “Does that mean things could change? Yes. Does that mean we’re actively looking of pursuing things? It does not.”

He then followed with another caveat, saying that it’s his job to put the best team on the field. That would suggest that trading Lowe is a possibility if it means creating financial wiggle room for a proven closer.

Yes, the Yankees are looking at proven first basemen. Yes, none of the marquee free-agent closers have signed. Neither has Pederson.

Something will break loose in the next few weeks. If all goes according to their plan, the Rangers will be the ones who break the story.

Baseball America ranks them

The fine folks at Baseball America released their list of the top 10 Rangers prospects for 2025, and, as anticipated, right-hander Kumar Rocker was the choice at No. 1.

Former BA reporter Jim Callis, who now works for MLB Pipeline, retold the rocky Rocker prospect history on a recent episode of the DLLS Weekly Podcast. Tracing to Rocker’s junior season in high school, Callis takes views viewers on a fascinating ride.

Shortstop Sebastian Walcott is the No. 2 prospect in the system, followed by right-handers Alejandro Rosario, Emiliano Teodo and Winston Santos. Catcher Malcolm Moore, the Rangers’ No. 1 draft choice in 2024, comes in at No. 6, followed by infielder Yolfran Castillo, right-hander Jack Leiter and outfielders Dylan Dreiling and Alejandro Osuna.

Moore is the catcher in the BA projected 2028 lineup. Walcott is in there, too, as the right fielder. The projected 2028 rotation features Rocker, Rosario, Santos, Leiter and Cody Bradford.

What happened to Teodo? He’s BA‘s projected 2028 closer.

Fan Fest returns

Rangers fans, block off Jan. 18 for Fan Fest, the annual season jump-start event featuring player appearances, interviews and autographs.

The event is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Globe Life Field, and tickets are on sale. In addition to all the player interaction, several activities for kids will take place on the field. New this year is a baseball card show.

The autograph schedule will be released the week of the event, but expect most of the big names. Many of them will attend the Texas Rangers Awards Dinner on Jan. 17, and, yes, tickets are available.

In addition to the 2024 awards winners as voted by media covering the club, second baseman Marcus Semien will be recognized for winning the Jim Sundberg Community Achievement Award, and former outfielder Shin-Soo Choo will be honored as the winner of the Mark Holtz Alumni Award.

Doggy video!

Hey, that kangaroo stole my ball! Enjoy.

Gareth Bale's golf ball was stolen on the green by a DOG during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 🤣🐕 pic.twitter.com/XFwYFwfHwz

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) October 5, 2024

Jeff Wilson, jwilson@alldlls.com