The Texas Rangers’ bullpen depth was a real issue down the stretch in 2026, and if they want to clean that up this winter, they need to keep adding around Jacob Latz. Latz was one of baseball’s more dominant relievers, but the group behind him never gave the Rangers enough stability as the season wore on.
That’s why the bullpen has to be a priority if Texas wants to put itself in position to be the favorite in the AL West. A few upgrades could help them become a much more dangerous team in the American League, and the relief market gives them some paths to do it.
One name that fits what the Rangers need is Padres setup man Adrián Morejón. He’s been one of the most effective relievers in baseball for the last several seasons, and 2026 was another strong year. Morejón put up a 2.83 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 86 innings.
Texas could use more swing and miss in that bullpen, and Morejón brings exactly that along with the velocity and track record to make him a strong fit right away. The hurdle is financial. Whatever contract he’s after would likely require payroll flexibility, and it’s not clear whether the Rangers have that room, especially with the possibility of changes to the financial rules.
A different route would be to trade for Brewers closer Trevor Megill, who anchored Milwaukee’s run to the World Series. That move would not require payroll space the way a free-agent deal for Morejón might, but it would come with a steep trade cost.
Megill was excellent in 2026, posting a 2.63 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings. He also brings two seasons of closing experience, which would give Texas more options when it comes to how the bullpen is arranged on the depth chart.
This isn’t just a fantasy move, either. The Brewers have a history of moving closers a year before they hit free agency, doing it with Josh Hader and Devin Williams. If the Rangers want a top-end reliever, they’d have to pay for it in prospect capital.
The third target is Jonathan Loáisiga, someone Texas should take a chance on in free agency. Before 2026, he spent his career with the Yankees and dealt with repeated injury issues that kept him from reaching his full potential. Then with the Diamondbacks in 2026, he finally stayed healthy.
That healthy season produced a 2.43 ERS in 67 innings with 48 strikeouts. Loáisiga leaned more on balls in play than overpowering hitters with strikeouts and high velocity, but that doesn’t make him any less intriguing for the Rangers. If they can get more out of him, he could give the bullpen another layer of depth.
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Rangers Face A Real DH Dilemma With Joc Pederson This Winter
Joc Pederson gave the Rangers exactly the kind of thump they were hoping for at designated hitter in 2026, spending most of the season in that role and finishing with 26 home runs and an .817 OPS. For Texas, that production came with a familiar tradeoff: plenty of offense, very little defensive flexibility, and a winter decision that could shape how the rest of the roster gets built.
Former general manager Jim Bowden has suggested the market may not be eager to chase Pederson given his age and limited defensive value, which leaves the Rangers in a tricky spot as they weigh whether to keep the DH lane open. If they move on, the payoff could be a more versatile lineup and a chance to spread at-bats around, but it also means saying goodbye to one of the more productive bats they had in that spot. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Linked To A Rotation Gamble With Long Term Stakes
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Luis Gil fits that kind of conversation because the upside is obvious, but so is the risk. His recent track record has been interrupted by injury and uncertainty about his standing with the Yankees, which makes him more of a projection than a sure thing. For Texas, the appeal is finding a starter who can help fill innings, but the real question is how much confidence anyone can have in what he might look like beyond 2027. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Bullpen Plan Raises A Bigger Question About Texas Priorities
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Newcombs recent performance has given him real credibility as more than just a depth add, and the broader discussion around him has centered on what kind of contract a pitcher with that profile might command. For a Rangers club always trying to balance immediate pitching needs with longer-range planning, the question is not just whether Newcomb fits, but how aggressively Texas would want to act if the market lines up in their favor. [Read more 🡒]