Texas Rangers Sign Three Free Agents to Boost 2026 Roster

UPDATE: The Texas Rangers have just announced significant roster changes, signing three free agents to enhance their chances for the 2026 MLB season. The team has finalized deals with catcher Danny Jansen, left-handed pitcher Tyler Alexander, and right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz on one-year contracts, sources confirm.

JUST IN: Jansen joins the Rangers with a two-year contract worth $14.5 million, filling the crucial starting catcher role vacated by the non-tendering of Jonah Heim. This move aims to inject right-handed power into the lineup, complementing newly acquired outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who was secured in a trade earlier this offseason.

The Rangers are coming off a .500 record in 2025 and are determined to improve under new manager Skip Schumaker. After a disappointing postseason absence following their 2023 World Series victory, the organization is aggressively pursuing upgrades to stay competitive.

Jansen, a veteran with experience across four teams in two years, is expected to stabilize the catcher position. He finished the 2025 season strong, batting .254 with 14 home runs after joining the Milwaukee Brewers via trade from Tampa Bay. His career batting line stands at .220/.311/.415, primarily spent with the Toronto Blue Jays, who drafted him in the 16th round.

Texas has also bolstered its pitching staff with the addition of Alexander and Diaz, aiming to rebuild depth after posting the best team ERA in baseball at 3.49 last year. Alexander, who pitched for both the Brewers and Chicago White Sox in 2025, brings versatility as a starter and reliever, appearing in 52 games with a 4.98 ERA. His ability to log innings makes him a valuable asset for any pitching staff.

Meanwhile, Diaz, although coming off a challenging season with an 8.15 ERA across 18 games with the Reds, Dodgers, and Braves, has shown potential as a closer, saving 75 games before 2025. His fastball velocity dropped significantly, but the Rangers are banking on his rebound.

As the Rangers reshape their roster, they face challenges ahead. With frontline starters like Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi returning, they must address the loss of key pitchers such as Merrill Kelly and Tyler Mahle, both of whom hit free agency. The team is looking to young arms like Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker, and Cody Bradford, who is recovering from elbow surgery, to fill rotation spots.

Fans are eagerly watching as the Rangers make these strategic moves to secure their future in a competitive league. As the offseason progresses, more updates are expected as Texas continues to explore all options for improvement.

Stay tuned for further developments as the Rangers prepare for the upcoming season, with high hopes riding on these new signings.