Texas Rangers Face a New Reality: Can They Still Compete Without Breaking the Bank?
The Texas Rangers are entering a new chapter - not a rebuild, but definitely a recalibration.
Gone are Bruce Bochy, Mike Maddux, Marcus Semien, and Adolis García - key figures in the Rangers’ recent resurgence and, notably, not budget-friendly. Their departures have sparked concern among fans that the franchise might be stepping back from serious World Series contention. But according to team president of baseball operations Chris Young, that’s not the plan.
“If we felt like we weren’t going to be competitive, we would take multiple steps back,” Young said this week.
That statement speaks volumes, especially considering the Rangers fielded calls about shortstop Corey Seager - the centerpiece of their championship core. Young made it clear: Seager isn’t going anywhere.
“There was no engagement from our end aside from answering the phone, which we do from every team,” Young said. “We are thrilled that Corey Seager is a Texas Ranger, and we expect to win our next championship with Corey Seager as our shortstop.”
That’s a bold stance - and a necessary one. Because if the Rangers are going to stay in the fight without spending like the Dodgers, Mets or Phillies, they’ll need their stars to carry the load.
The Financial Picture: Tightening the Belt, Not Closing the Wallet
The Rangers aren’t broke. But they’re not operating with a blank check anymore either.
Since moving into Globe Life Field in 2020, the economics around the team have shifted. Attendance has hovered in the middle of the pack - not disastrous, but not quite what ownership had hoped for when the new ballpark opened.
From 2022 to 2025, the Rangers ranked 18th, 16th, 12th, and 17th in MLB home attendance. That’s decent, but not enough to keep pace with the league’s big spenders.
Then there’s the local media revenue - or what’s left of it. Like many MLB and NBA franchises, the Rangers were once flush with cash from regional sports network deals. But the collapse of that model, driven by the cord-cutting era and changing viewer habits, has left a significant hole in the budget.
And while winning a World Series is priceless in terms of legacy, it didn’t exactly flood the Rangers’ coffers with playoff revenue. Despite their 2023 title run, Texas played just six home playoff games - all in that single postseason. Arizona, their World Series opponent, hosted more Fall Classic games than they did.
All of this adds up to one reality: the Rangers can no longer afford to rank among the top five or six payrolls in baseball. They’re not slashing costs, but they are trimming - and that’s a delicate balance when trying to stay competitive in a sport where spending correlates heavily with winning.
Spending History: Not Shy, Just Strategic
Let’s be clear - this is not a franchise that’s been afraid to spend. Since Ray Davis and Bob Simpson took over in 2010, the Rangers have ranked in the top 10 in payroll 10 times. Only once - in 2021 - did they fall into the bottom third.
But the days of setting the free agent market appear to be over, at least for now. The offseason moves reflect a shift in strategy rather than a retreat.
The trade that sent Marcus Semien to the Mets wasn’t a salary dump. In return, the Rangers got outfielder Brandon Nimmo - a solid player on a sizable deal - and $5 million to help offset the cost.
Texas takes on the remainder of Nimmo’s eight-year, $120 million contract, which runs through 2030.
That’s not penny-pinching. That’s reshaping.
Bochy, Maddux Departures: Business Decisions, Not Burned Bridges
The exits of Bochy and Maddux weren’t about fractured relationships. According to those familiar with the situation, both had interest in returning. But the Rangers weren’t willing to pay top dollar for leadership roles this time around.
Bochy heads back to the Giants in a front office role. Maddux lands with the Angels as their new pitching coach. Both would’ve commanded salaries near the top of the scale for their positions, and in a tighter financial climate, Texas opted to allocate those resources elsewhere.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially considering the impact both had on the Rangers’ 2023 title run. But it’s the kind of decision teams make when they’re trying to stay competitive without overspending.
The Path Forward: Internal Growth Over External Splash
Chris Young has made it clear: the Rangers aren’t rebuilding. They’re retooling - and the next wave of improvement will have to come from within.
That means development is key. The farm system has to deliver.
The young arms need to take steps forward. The core - led by Seager, Nimmo, and others - must stay healthy and productive.
And while the Rangers may not be chasing every big-name free agent, they’re not waving the white flag either. They’re just playing a different game than the Dodgers or Mets - one that requires more precision and a little more patience.
Can They Still Compete?
It’s a fair question. Since 2015, only one team outside the top 10 in payroll has won the World Series - the 2021 Braves, who ranked 11th.
Six of the last nine champions were top-five spenders. That’s the reality Texas is up against.
But they’ve got a core in place. They’ve got a front office that believes in the long-term vision. And they’ve got one of the best shortstops in baseball still anchoring the infield.
The Rangers aren’t out of the fight. They’re just fighting a little differently now.
And if they can make the math work - on the field and on the balance sheet - there’s still a path back to October glory.