After a turbulent 2025 season, the Texas Rangers desperately need stability in the closer role.
In modern baseball, closers often don’t get the value they deserve, but they remain some of the most polarizing players on any roster. Manager Skip Schumaker is expected to move away from the closer-by-committee approach and settle on a single, reliable ninth-inning arm.
Throughout 2025, one glaring weakness kept haunting Texas — the absence of a consistent, dominant closer. The bullpen often faltered in the final inning, costing the Rangers a number of close games. While pitching wasn’t the main culprit for the disappointing season, upgrading the bullpen, particularly the closer position, should be a top priority.
### The Rangers’ Closer Crisis
Since Kirby Yates’ departure after the 2024 season, the Rangers haven’t found stability at the back end of their bullpen. Nine different players recorded saves in 2025 — a clear sign of inconsistency. Without elite velocity or movement, their relievers struggled to compete with hard-throwing counterparts like Mason Miller or Aroldis Chapman.
Although Texas’ bullpen ranked in the upper half of most pitching categories, it still managed to blow 29 saves — second most in MLB. That inability to finish games was devastating for a team already struggling offensively.
### Finding a Solution
Fixing the closer issue has to be at the top of the offseason agenda. The internal options — Jacob Webb, Josh Sborz, Robert Garcia, and Luis Curvelo — lack proven experience and elite stuff. Prospects Marc Church and Emiliano Teodo could get a chance, but the Rangers will likely need to turn to free agency for answers.
With payroll cuts expected, they may look for an affordable veteran on a short-term deal. Retaining pitchers like Phil Maton or Danny Coulombe could offer continuity but might not solve the underlying issues. Cole Winn is another potential candidate after a solid 2025, though his advanced metrics suggest regression risk.
If Texas can reduce its blown saves by even ten games, it could have been a division winner in 2025 — even with its weak offense. A steady closer could completely change the team’s trajectory in 2026.
### Rebuilding the Bullpen — Again
For a second straight offseason, rebuilding the bullpen is the organization’s main focus. Injuries, failed rehabs, and a lack of top-end talent caused constant chaos throughout 2025. Fortunately, this winter’s free-agent market offers several appealing relievers — though spending cuts may limit who Texas can sign.
Currently, only Webb, Sborz, Garcia, and Curvelo are under contract for 2026. Adding Church, Teodo, and possibly Jacob Latz brings the total to six, which is still far from enough. The Rangers could look at free agents like Ryan Helsley, Devin Williams, or Edwin Díaz, though those names might be out of their price range.
Departures are also likely, as veterans such as Chris Martin, Danny Coulombe, and Shawn Armstrong may seek better deals or contenders.
### Looking Ahead
Texas has cycled through closers since 2023 — from Yates and Leclerc to Chapman and Robertson — without finding a lasting solution. Signing a couple of dependable relievers on two- or three-year deals could finally bring the consistency the bullpen has lacked.
Skip Schumaker’s track record suggests he prefers high-velocity, swing-and-miss relievers, something the Rangers have often shied away from. Adopting that philosophy could be key to fixing their long-standing bullpen issues.
While rebuilding a bullpen in one offseason isn’t easy, meaningful additions and a shift in approach could finally stabilize Texas’ late-inning woes — and turn 2026 into a much more competitive season.
