2021 MVP finalists Marcus Simien was the first of three big names to sign with the Rangers in the last 48 hours. Signing a 7-year deal for $175 million. This type of contract allows the Rangers to remain active in the current FA market prior to the looming lockout which will being at midnight Wednesday into Thursday. Simien launched 45 homeruns which broke the previous record of 43 homeruns hit by a second baseman. On top of that, Simien took home his first career Gold Glove award. Oh yeah… I forgot to mention it was his first year playing second base in an MLB game in 7 years!
After being denied a qualifying offer from the Oakland A’s in 2019, the shortstop took a chance on himself, joining the Toronto Blue Jays on a 1yr/$18mil. He bet on himself, and it paid off. This will be the first time in Simien’s MLB career that he will be playing on a long-term contract.
Jon Gray, 29, signed a 4-year deal for $56 million. The pitcher from Colorado is now on the second chapter of his MLB career after spending the last 7 seasons in the Rockies. In those 7 seasons he pitched to a 4.59 ERA and was a solid middle of the rotation guy. The Rangers will need Gray to become their ace or number 2 guy in the rotation as starting pitching is something they have lacked since going to the world series in back-to-back years in 2010 and 2011.
The Rangers made the biggest splash of free agency so far by signing Corey Seager to a 10-year, $325 million deal. The Rangers can expect a guy that will be a near .300avg hitter and a guy that will be an above average shortstop. In 2021, Seager had a hand injury that ended his 2021 season early, but sources say that he should be a full go by spring training.
Can skipper Chris Woodward lead this team back to October and compete for a championship with team’s new bolstered roster?
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