How Texas Rangers Built 2023 World Series Roster

While the Texas Rangers look like an overnight sensation in reaching the World Series, the reality is they've been building a contender for years.

So how were the American League champion Texas Rangers built? Certainly not overnight.

Based on the 26-man roster that helped the Rangers beat the Houston Astros in seven thrilling games of the ALCS, this build has gone on more than a decade. Pitcher José Leclerc has the longest continuous service with the club, joining the organization in 2010.

That’s how far the Rangers went back to build this winner.

Texas will face the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series beginning Friday with Game 1 at Globe Life Field. The Rangers have home-field advantage for the best-of-seven series.

Below is how the 26-man roster that got Texas back to the Fall Classic was constructed, based on when they joined the team or organization in their current tenure (which is important when it comes to pitcher Martín Pérez).

This list does not include players that are on the injured list, such as Jacob deGrom and Brad Miller, and players that are not injured but were not included on the active roster, such as Ezequiel Duran and Grant Anderson.

Not that their contributions in 2023 weren’t important, but this is how the ALCS champion Rangers were formed.

P José Leclerc

Acquired via international signing on Nov. 20, 2010

Leclerc was promoted to the Rangers for the first time in 2016, which was also the last playoff appearance for the club.

OF Leody Taveras

Acquired as international signing in July of 2015

The Rangers paid Taveras a $2.6 million bonus when he signed with them. He made the Opening Day roster in 2020 but stuck for good after he was called up on June 13, 2022.

3B Josh Jung

Acquired via MLB Draft, June 3, 2019

The Rangers selected Jung with their first-round pick in 2019. He made his MLB debut on Sept. 6, 2022.

P Cody Bradford

Acquired via MLB Draft, June 4, 2019

The Rangers selected Bradford in the sixth round of the 2019 Draft out of Baylor. Aledo native was called up for the first time on May 15, 2023 after being named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Month for April.

OF Adolis García

Acquired via Trade on Dec. 18, 2019

The Rangers originally acquired García in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals after the outfielder was designated for assignment. The Rangers designated him for assignment on Feb. 10, 2021, and after he cleared waivers he was re-signed on Feb. 12, 2021. The Rangers called him up to the Majors on April 13, 2021.

OF Evan Carter

Acquired via MLB Draft on June 10, 2020

The Rangers surprised many baseball observers by taking the Elizabethton High School (TN) outfielder in the second round. The Rangers called him up for the first time on Sept. 8, 2023.

P Dane Dunning

Acquired via Trade on Dec. 8, 2020

The Rangers traded RHP Lance Lynn to the Chicago White Sox for Dunning and minor-league pitcher Avery Weems.

1B Nathaniel Lowe

Acquired via Trade on Dec. 10, 2020

The Rangers acquired Lowe, first baseman Jake Guenther and a player to be named later from the Tampa Bay Rays for catcher Heriberto Hernandez, shortstop Osleivis Basabe and outfielder Alexander Ovalles.

C Jonah Heim

Acquired via Trade on Feb. 6, 2021

The Rangers acquired Heim, pitcher Dane Acker and outfielder Khris Davis from the Oakland Athletics for shortstop Elvis Andrus, catcher Aramis Garcia and cash.

P Josh Sborz

Acquired via Trade on Feb. 16, 2021

The Rangers acquired Sborz in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Jhan Zambrano.

INF Josh H. Smith

Acquired via Trade on July 29, 2021

The Rangers traded outfielder Joey Gallo to the New York Yankees for Smith, infielder Ezequiel Duran, infielder Trevor Hauver and pitcher Glenn Otto. The Rangers also sent pitcher Joely Rodriguez and cash to the Yankees.

P Jon Gray

Acquired via free agency on Dec. 1, 2021

Gray signed a four-year, $56-million deal with the Rangers after spending the first part of his career with the Colorado Rockies.

SS Corey Seager

Acquired via free agency on Dec. 1, 2021

Seager signed the richest contract in Rangers history when he inked a 10-year, $325 million deal.

2B Marcus Semien

Acquired via free agency on Dec. 1, 2021

Semien signed a seven-year, $175-million deal after a career season with the Toronto Blue Jays.

C Mitch Garver

Acquired via trade on March 12, 2022

The Rangers traded infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and pitcher Ronny Henriquez to the Minnesota Twins for Garver.

P Martín Pérez

Acquired via free agency on March 14, 2022

The Rangers brought Pérez back with a one-year contract and kept him with a $19.1 million qualifying offer last offseason. He previously played for the Rangers from 2012-18.

P Andrew Heaney

Acquired via free agency on Dec. 9, 2022

The Rangers signed the former Angels and Dodgers left-hander to a two-year, $25 million contract.

P Nathan Eovaldi

Acquired via free agency on Dec. 28, 2022

The Rangers signed Eovaldi to a two-year, $34 million contract with a third-year vesting option based on innings pitched.

OF Travis Jankowski

Acquired via free agency on Jan. 27, 2023

The Rangers signed Jankowski to a one-year, $1.25 million contract and gave him a minor-league invitation to Spring Training.

OF Robbie Grossman

Acquired via free agency on Feb. 17, 2023

The Rangers signed Grossman to a one-year, $2 million contract.

P Will Smith

Acquired via free agency on March 4, 2023

The Rangers signed Smith, a former closer for manager Bruce Bochy in San Francisco, to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

P Aroldis Chapman

Acquired via Trade on June 30, 2023

The Rangers dealt pitcher Cole Ragans and minor-league outfielder Roni Cabrera to the Kansas City Royals.

P Max Scherzer

Acquired via Trade on July 30, 2023

The Rangers traded Luisangel Acuña to the New York Mets for Scherzer and cash.

P Jordan Montgomery and P Chris Stratton

Acquired via trade on July 30, 2023

Montgomery and Stratton were traded from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline for pitcher John King, pitcher Tekoah Roby and infielder Thomas Saggese.

C Austin Hedges

Acquired via trade on Aug. 1, 2023

The Rangers traded future considerations in the form of international signing bonus cap space to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Hedges.

World Series Odds for Rangers, Diamondbacks

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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