The Texas Rangers’ roster is clearly headed for some kind of shakeup, and Corey Seager may be the headliner everyone talks about. But if the front office really wants to think bigger this winter, there are two other players who could bring back a meaningful return without drawing nearly as much attention.
Ezequiel Duran and Josh Jung both turned in the best seasons of their careers in 2026, which makes them the kind of “sell high” pieces teams should at least be willing to discuss. In a winter where the Rangers need fresh energy and a different mix, both could carry real trade value.
Duran, known as “The Solution,” put together a breakout year that stood well above anything he had done before. The utility man is in line to win the utility Gold Glove and may also take home the utility Silver Slugger Award.
At the plate, he posted career highs in at-bats (539), hits (140), doubles (27), HRs (17), RBIs (83), and stolen bases (12). His .260/.320/.419 slash line was his best since his breakout 2023 season, and his 114 OPS+ was even better.
Still, the numbers underneath suggest Texas might be catching him at exactly the right moment to move him. His underlying metrics point to a different picture than the surface stats, and the 27-year-old looks like a strong regression candidate offensively.
He brings plenty else to the table, though. Duran’s instincts, both in the field and on the bases, make him the kind of player teams notice quickly once he becomes available.
Jung is another player whose value could be maximized now rather than later. The third baseman delivered his best year as a Ranger in 2026 even though he missed most of the second half.
He hit .299, finished with an .827 OPS, and was Texas’ steadiest offensive threat when he was on the field. Skip Schumaker could count on him for quality at-bats every time he stepped in.
The concern with Jung isn’t the bat so much as the rest of his game. His defense took a major step backward last season, and if that trend continues, it could eat into the value his offense creates.
That makes this a potentially favorable moment for Texas, especially with the free-agent market at third base described as extremely thin. The Rangers could get more than usual if they decide to shop him.
There’s also a broader roster question attached to Jung’s future. If the Rangers are serious about getting 20-year-old minor league phenom Sebastian Walcott into the mix at Globe Life Field in 2027, then exploring Jung’s market starts to make sense. Texas could use Walcott at third or shift Seager to third and place Walcott at his natural shortstop spot.
For a fan base eager to see change, Seager will keep drawing the most conversation. But if the Rangers want to add help at a position of need - whether that’s center field or another starting pitcher to help replace the aging arms at the top of the rotation - Duran and Jung might actually be the better places to start.
In Other News...
Rangers Still Have One Home Problem Holding Back Their October Push
The Rangers push to make October noise has run into a familiar problem at Globe Life Field, where the offense just has not looked as dangerous as it needs to be. Texas was held back by injuries to key bats such as Wyatt Langford and Corey Seager, and even with home run production sitting around league average, the broader numbers showed a lineup that was not doing enough damage on home soil to consistently pressure opposing pitching.
There is also a less obvious layer to the issue, and it speaks to how the roster has functioned since the lineup changed shape. Brandon Nimmo arrived with a power profile that looked like it could fit any middle-of-the-order spot, but his extra-base impact dipped after joining Texas, leaving the Rangers still searching for a version of their offense that travels better in their own park. Until that changes, the home split remains one more obstacle between this group and a deeper postseason run. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Prospect Paxton Kling Is Forcing A Bigger Conversation
Paxton Kling has spent the first week of the Arizona Fall League doing exactly what a Rangers outfield prospect is supposed to do in that setting: turn extra at-bats into extra attention. The AFL is built for players like Kling, giving them a chance to stack plate appearances, show their tools and make a louder case for advancement, and he has wasted little time making his presence felt.
Through three games, Kling has been one of the leagues early talking points for Texas, piling up production at the plate and showing why his name is starting to circulate beyond prospect circles. The bigger question now is whether this burst becomes something more lasting, because early AFL success can open doors for a player and change the conversation around where he fits in the Rangers future. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Face A Massive Trade Question Atlanta Could Force
The trade market can get strange fast when a club with big-name talent and a big-picture need starts looking around, and the Rangers are suddenly in that kind of conversation. Atlanta has shown interest in high-end Texas pieces, and the fit brings two of the most recognizable names in the clubhouse into the middle of the discussion, with the usual complications of contract language and financial baggage hovering over everything.
What makes the idea worth watching is that any serious deal would have to clear more than just baseball value. No-trade clauses and salary obligations can reshape the entire framework before the Rangers and Braves ever get to the prospect part, and that is where the conversation gets even more delicate. Once a front office starts weighing premium talent against the kind of return that could justify moving it, every detail matters, and this one is still waiting for the final piece. [Read more 🡒]