Josh Jung may have been the heartbeat of the Texas Rangers’ offense last season, but the winter could still put him squarely in the trade conversation.
Texas has reasons to think bigger than simply running it back. Sebastian Walcott could push for an early promotion in 2027, and that possibility - along with the chance to pick up an extra draft pick - gives the Rangers another incentive to be aggressive with their top prospect.
There’s also the possibility that the club takes a swing at Japanese star Teruaki Sato. The Rangers had scouts watching him in Central League Climax Series action recently, and it’s not clear whether that was simple scouting work or something more.
Jung’s defense also complicates the picture. He logged 847 innings at third base in 2026, which kept him short of qualifying, but he still finished with -12 DRS.
If he had enough playing time to qualify, that would have been the worst mark among big league third basemen. At some point, the glove starts to outweigh the value of the bat.
If Texas decides Jung is available, three clubs stand out as natural fits.
The Yankees make obvious sense because they have a third-base problem of their own. Ryan McMahon is under contract for one more season at $16 million, but New York Baseball insider Joel Sherman believes the Yankees will try to unload that money somehow.
The lineup is also tilted heavily to the left, with five of the eight projected 2027 starters, aside from McMahon, hitting from that side. The fit becomes even more interesting because New York has a surplus of controllable starting pitching, something Texas could use.
A deal could create real competition for Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker, with the loser potentially moving to the bullpen. Longer term, the Rangers could use a young arm like Will Warren, Ryan Weathers, or Elmer Rodriguez, especially with Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and MacKenzie Gore all reaching free agency after 2027.
The Phillies are another logical partner, even if their situation looks a little different. After another early playoff exit, they’ve moved Don Mattingly into the permanent manager role, which suggests they are not about to tear everything down.
But third base is still a question. Alec Bohm is a free agent, and it’s not clear Philadelphia wants to bring him back.
He has been a league-average hitter with a career 100 wRC+, but his bat has been shaky in big spots and his glove has been rough, with -10 defensive runs saved this season. With the free-agent market offering little beyond Sato, the Phillies could be forced to shop in the trade market.
They may not be able to headline a package with an established big leaguer, but they do have prospects that could help Texas restock its system.
Then there’s the Mets, a destination that depends on a few moving parts. Everything hinges on whether Bo Bichette opts out.
He was better in the second half than in the first, but for most of the year he only looked like himself in June and August. If he leaves, Jung starts to look like a clean answer for New York.
The Mets have also been linked to Brett Baty in trade chatter for a while, and even if he hasn’t lived up to his former top-prospect billing, his finish matters. From June 30 onward, he hit .280/.335/.491.
Baty alone would not be enough to get Jung, but his ability to play third base, second base, first base, and both corner-outfield spots gives him value. He could fit at second base in a platoon with Justin Foscue, and if the Mets added a couple of prospects, a deal would at least be in play.
In Other News...
Alejandro Osuna Is Giving The Rangers A 2027 Outfield Dilemma
Alejandro Osunas first full look with the Rangers in 2025 did not come with a lot of immediate flash, even after a strong spring training helped put him on the map. His regular-season line took time to catch up, but the underlying signs kept adding up for Texas: disciplined at-bats, a usable on-base profile and a bat that looked especially comfortable against left-handed pitching.
What makes Osuna interesting now is not just what he did last season, but where he could fit as the roster keeps evolving. The Rangers are already thinking ahead to 2027, and Osuna is part of that conversation as they sort through how to align their outfield pieces in the years ahead. For a club trying to balance present needs with long-term upside, that kind of internal competition can become a pretty good problem to have. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Interest In Japanese Slugger Could Upend Their Infield Plans
The Rangers are once again keeping an eye overseas as they look for ways to reshape the infield this winter. According to reports, Texas had scouts at the final game of the Central League Climax Series to watch Hanshin Tigers third baseman Teruaki Sato, a 27-year-old slugger who was recently named the leagues Triple Crown winner and is expected to be posted this offseason.
Sato brings obvious offensive appeal, but he also comes with questions, including swing-and-miss tendencies that could make his transition harder to project. For Texas, the bigger issue may be what a serious pursuit of Sato would mean for the current roster picture, especially with Josh Jung and Jake Burger already in the mix and the front office weighing how much room there is for another bat at third. [Read more 🡒]
Sebastian Walcott Is Giving Rangers Fans A Reason To Dream Bigger
Sebastian Walcotts fall ball progress is giving Rangers fans another reminder of why he sits near the top of the organizations long-term hopes. After coming back from internal brace surgery on his elbow, the infielder has looked increasingly comfortable in the Arizona Fall League, where his bat has started to show the kind of impact that made him such an intriguing prospect in the first place.
Walcotts development path is still a patient one, with more minor league seasoning expected before he becomes a real big league factor. Even so, the early signs matter in Texas, because they suggest the ceiling remains intact and the timeline, while still distant, has not lost its appeal. The Rangers can keep dreaming big here, and they have good reason to. [Read more 🡒]