The Texas Rangers have had a difficult 2024 season. After winning their first World Series title last October, they have fallen on hard times.
With less than 30 games remaining, the Rangers own a record of 62-71 and are not far off from being eliminated from postseason contention. But that doesn't mean that all hope is lost for 2025.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report suggested that they could be in the market for closer Carlos Estevez.
"Estevez should have no problem finding work this winter. He's proved capable of closing, but he could also go to a team that prefers a more matchup-based approach or just wants him to be their top setup man," Kelly wrote. "If not a return to the Phillies, the Texas Rangers, Cubs, and Diamondbacks could all be fits for the veteran righty."
Estevez could be a perfect fit for the Rangers bullpen. The team leaned heavily on Jose Leclerc last October as their closer. He and Estevez would form a lethal combination at the back end of the Rangers bullpen in 2025.
This would also signal that the Rangers fully intend to compete next year and not make what happened in 2024 the new norm. They have a solid core in place that could help guide them back to the postseason if supplemented properly.
The 31-year-old is 2-4 with a 2.36 ERA in 45.2 innings of work this season. He also has notched 22 saves on the season. The Phillies acquired him from the Los Angeles Angels at the deadline.
We'll see how his market develops in the offseason and if the Rangers end up pursuing him.
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