Defending a championship in baseball is notoriously challenging, and the Texas Rangers are learning this lesson firsthand. The 2024 season has been tough for the reigning World Series champions, and barring a remarkable comeback, their chances of repeating are slim. If the Rangers fail to turn their season around, they will join the ranks of the last 24 consecutive champions who couldn’t defend their title. The last team to successfully repeat was the New York Yankees, who did so between 1998 and 2000.
This season was supposed to be different for Texas. They retained nearly their entire roster from the 2023 title-winning squad and made additional moves to boost their chances of making it back to the playoffs and the World Series. However, with just six weeks remaining in the regular season, the Rangers are 10 games below .500 and are trailing six teams in the Wild Card race. Their chances of catching up in the AL West seem even bleaker, as they are 11 games behind the division leaders and currently hold the lowest winning percentage among third-place teams.
Given their current predicament, it may be time for the Rangers to start planning for the future rather than clinging to fleeting playoff hopes. It’s likely we could see Texas place several players with expiring contracts on waivers in the coming weeks. While it would be a tough decision for both the team and its fans, making prudent financial moves could benefit the franchise in the long run. Despite this season’s struggles, the Rangers have a core group that could make them contenders again as early as next year.
Among the players who could be waived is Andrew Heaney, a veteran left-handed pitcher who is concluding a two-year, $25 million contract with the Rangers. Heaney’s performance this season has been consistent with his career averages, but his win-loss record has suffered due to some bad luck. Despite a decent ERA and strikeout-to-walk ratio, his 4-13 record highlights how he has struggled to secure victories. With the expected return of Jacob deGrom and Jon Gray, the Rangers’ rotation is about to get even more crowded, making Heaney a potential candidate for waivers.
Another notable player who might be on the waiver wire is Kirby Yates. The 37-year-old reliever has revived his career this season with an impressive 1.33 ERA and 22 saves in 23 chances. Yates was an All-Star this year and has proven he still has the ability to be a top-tier bullpen arm. However, given the Rangers’ fading playoff hopes, it’s possible that they might place him on waivers to free up space for a contending team to acquire him. Yates, who has limited postseason experience, could be a valuable asset to a team gearing up for the playoffs.
Lastly, Travis Jankowski, a veteran outfielder, could also be among those waived. While Jankowski had a strong performance last season, his 2024 campaign has been underwhelming. With a .200 batting average and limited playing time, he hasn’t shown enough to secure a spot on the Rangers’ roster for next year. However, his speed and defensive capabilities might make him an appealing option for a contending team looking for depth and versatility in their lineup.