The Texas Rangers are adding some veteran depth to their bullpen, agreeing to a one-year, $4 million deal with right-hander Jakob Junis, with a mutual option attached. The 33-year-old brings a versatile arm and a track record that suggests he could be more than just a back-end innings eater.
Junis made his MLB debut back in 2017 with the Royals as a starter, but his journey since then has been anything but linear. After a tough 2020 season, he bounced between starting and relieving roles with Kansas City and later San Francisco. Most recently, he split time in 2024 between Milwaukee and Cincinnati, landing with the Reds at the trade deadline as part of the Frankie Montas deal.
Last season, Junis signed a one-year contract with Cleveland and worked exclusively out of the bullpen - and that shift seemed to pay off. He posted a 2.97 ERA, backed by a 3.45 FIP and 4.04 xERA. While those numbers don’t scream dominance, they point to a pitcher who knows how to manage contact and stay out of trouble - even without elite velocity or strikeout stuff.
What makes Junis particularly intriguing is his pitch mix. He features four pitches, which is rare for a reliever but makes sense given his background as a starter.
His best weapon is his slider, which boasts significant horizontal movement and has long been his go-to pitch. He also found surprising success with his changeup last year - a pitch that gave hitters fits.
His sinker and four-seam fastball, however, were less effective and often got hit hard when left up in the zone.
Junis isn't going to light up the radar gun or rack up strikeouts, but he throws strikes and, at least in 2025, did an impressive job limiting hard contact. That kind of profile fits well in a bullpen that values consistency and control - especially in high-leverage middle innings or when trying to bridge the gap to the back end.
Now, the Rangers will need to make a corresponding roster move to make space for Junis, as their 40-man roster is currently full. Among the potential candidates on the bubble are Dom Hamel, Zak Kent, and Michael Otanez - all of whom were claimed off waivers earlier this offseason. One of them could be the odd man out when the deal becomes official.
For Texas, this move isn’t about landing a headline-grabbing closer. It’s about adding a steady, experienced arm who knows how to navigate big-league lineups and can give the bullpen some much-needed flexibility. Junis may not be flashy, but he’s the kind of pitcher who can quietly make a difference over a long season.