The Rangers moved quickly into the offseason, and one of Friday’s decisions may have quietly shifted the catching picture.
Texas declined the three pending mutual options for designated hitter Joc Pederson, catcher Kyle Higashioka and reliever Jakob Junis, sending all three into free agency once the market opens. Of that group, Higashioka stands out the most because his departure could create a clearer path for Logan O’Hoppe.
Higashioka signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal heading into 2024, but injuries limited him to just 56 games this season. Across his time in Texas, he never reached 100 games in a season.
That opens the door for O’Hoppe, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels and now has a chance to make his case for a larger role. In 10 games for Texas in 2026, he hit .353 in 17 at-bats with one double, one RBI and no walks against four strikeouts.
There’s real pop in his bat, too. O’Hoppe hit 20 home runs with the Angels in 2024, and while he won’t be mistaken for a high-average hitter, he has shown enough to merit another shot at regular major league work.
Health has been the obstacle. Injuries have slowed him over the years, and in 2026 he hit .219 with four home runs in 85 games between Los Angeles and Texas. After back-to-back seasons of 110-plus games, that was a clear step back for the former 23rd-round pick.
If his wrist holds up this offseason and he adds strength there, O’Hoppe could push for time behind the plate. Danny Jansen is expected to be the starting catcher, but with Pederson now a free agent, O’Hoppe could also be in the mix for designated hitter at-bats.
The Rangers still need more catching depth, and that need has been underscored by several sources. O’Hoppe may be part of the answer, but Texas can’t afford to wait around for a veteran to get healthy if it wants to get back to the postseason, something it has not done since winning the World Series in 2023.
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Stephenson would give the Rangers another option behind the plate, but the broader debate is really about where the front office should spend its limited attention. Catching help is part of the conversation, yet the roster still has other areas that could demand more urgent work, and the way Texas balances those needs could shape how fans judge the winter before it really gets going. [Read more 🡒]