Texas Rangers center field is suddenly a spot to watch this offseason after Evan Carter’s hip surgery changed the picture.
Carter is expected to miss the start of the 2027 season, according to multiple publications, including ESPN. The procedure addressed a hip impingement and labral issue, Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said.
Young also called center field a “primary focus” for the Rangers this winter, per the Dallas Morning News’ Shawn McFarland. Carter should still get back on the field at some point next year, but Texas wants insurance in place in case the recovery doesn’t go perfectly.
That opens the door for a short-term addition, and there are a few free-agent center fielders who fit the idea of a one-year “prove it” deal after uneven 2026 seasons.
Trent Grisham is one of the more obvious names. He took a qualifying offer from the Yankees last offseason after putting together a strong 2025, when he posted 3.1 fWAR, a 128 wRC+ and 34 home runs.
This year was a different story. Over 121 games, Grisham finished with 0.7 fWAR and a .211/.308/.395 line with a 98 wRC+.
ESPN projects him for a one-year, $14 million contract. That kind of deal would line up with what Texas may be looking for, especially if Grisham can bounce back to his 2025 level.
The concern is that his defensive numbers have slipped sharply over the last two seasons, which could push him to a corner spot while Wyatt Langford handles center until Carter returns. The DH role is also open with Joc Pederson now a free agent.
Tyrone Taylor may actually make even more sense for the Rangers. He doesn’t have Grisham’s name value, but he brings a right-handed bat and a steadier all-around profile.
Taylor split last season between the Mets and Cubs, and in 241 plate appearances he hit .279/.325/.502 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI, good for a 127 wRC+. He also held up well defensively, finishing with +5 Defensive Runs Saved in 527 1/3 innings in the outfield.
Spotrac projects him for a one-year, $7.5 million deal, and among the three options here, he looks like the cleanest fit for Texas.
If the Rangers miss on both of those names, Daulton Varsho is another center field possibility. He’s probably headed into the market looking for a one-year contract after a rough 2026 split between the Blue Jays and Astros, a season that produced 0.8 fWAR and a 78 wRC+ in 140 games.
ESPN projects Varsho at one year and $15 million. His season ended in late September after left arthroscopic wrist surgery.
Even with the down year, there’s still a track record to point to: since his MLB debut in 2020, Varsho has produced 14.2 fWAR.
In Other News...
Ezequiel Duran Is Suddenly Chasing A Rangers Feat Few Saw Coming
Ezequiel Durans value to the Rangers has always been tied to how many different jobs he can handle, but this winter has put a sharper spotlight on what that versatility can mean. After earning recognition for his glove, Duran is now in the mix for a Silver Slugger at the utility spot, a sign that his role in Texas is being judged on more than just the innings he can cover around the diamond.
The race is a little tricky to handicap because the other names on the ballot bring their own appeal, including Sam Antonacci and Kevin McGonigle. McGonigles standing in another category could end up shaping how the utility field settles, which leaves Duran in the kind of award chase that feels both unlikely and very much in character for a player whose game has been built on fitting wherever the Rangers need him most. [Read more 🡒]
Chris Young Just Put Rangers Fans On Notice About This Offseason
Chris Youngs offseason comments offered a clearer picture of where the Rangers are headed, and it starts with restraint rather than a splash. The president of baseball operations said the clubs payroll is expected to stay around last years level, which suggests Texas will be looking to improve more through fit and flexibility than by simply adding more money to the ledger. Young also framed the roster as one that will need to evolve, with a younger and more versatile build in mind as the organization tries to keep pace in a changing landscape.
The challenge is the clock. Young pointed to a compressed timeline with the possibility of an MLB lockout if a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached by Dec. 1, which could force teams to move faster than they might prefer. He also acknowledged the Rangers could explore trading one of several high-salary players, though any such move would come with a major hurdle because those deals would need the players approval. For a front office trying to reshape the roster without losing too much ground, the next few weeks may matter more than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Suddenly Face A High-Stakes International Recruiting Battle
The Rangers have their eye on another potential international addition, with Japanese high school pitcher Shoki Oda drawing attention from a handful of big-market clubs. Oda is eligible to sign as an international amateur free agent starting Jan. 15, and Texas is among the teams that have reportedly shown interest as it looks to keep building its pipeline with talent from overseas.
What makes this one especially tricky is the calendar. Oda is also set to meet with the Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies and Mets, but the entire process may hinge on what happens when the current collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1. If that leads to a lockout, the signing period could be pushed back or even wiped out, leaving clubs like the Rangers waiting on a market that may not open on schedule. [Read more 🡒]