Rangers Rely on Rising Stars to Succeed Marcus Semien

The Texas Rangers are navigating a pivotal offseason following the trade of veteran second baseman Marcus Semien to the New York Mets. In exchange, they acquired Brandon Nimmo, a move that signals a significant shift for the team. While parting with Semien, a key player in securing the Rangers’ first World Series title, presents challenges, it may prove to be a strategically sound decision.

Acquisitions and Team Dynamics

Aside from the Nimmo trade, the Rangers made another noteworthy acquisition by signing catcher Danny Jansen. He will share catching duties with Kyle Higashioka. Semien’s exit now creates a vacancy at second base, an opportunity Texas is looking to fill internally.

Key Internal Candidates

The Rangers have two primary contenders for the second base position:

• Josh Smith: Recently settled for $3.225 million, Smith has been a versatile player over the past few seasons, missing only 18 games in 2025. After a promising start with a .329 batting average in April, Smith faced challenges in the latter half of the season. Consistency will be critical if he aims to secure the starting role.
• Cody Freeman: Freeman emerged as a strong contributor toward the end of the previous season. Although he may not yet be ready for a complete season, he presents a viable option for the infield. Ezequiel Duran could also receive occasional starts, but Freeman and Smith appear to be the frontrunners.

Chris Young, the Rangers’ president of baseball operations, acknowledged Smith’s experience as a significant advantage among internal candidates. However, he emphasized that the starting role will ultimately be determined by performance during spring training.

Looking Ahead: 2026 Playoff Aspirations

The pressure is mounting on the young stars stepping into Semien’s shoes. Both Smith and Freeman have the potential to significantly impact the Rangers’ success. The organization aims to capitalize on this internal talent as they set their sights on securing a playoff spot in 2026.

While external free agents like Luis Arraez and former Ranger Isiah Kiner-Falefa are available, the Rangers are likely to prioritize internal solutions. This strategic approach will be critical to their success in the upcoming season.