Latest on Free Agents Jordan Montgomery, Josh Hader Linked to Texas Rangers

Jordan Montgomery, Josh Hader and Aroldis Chapman are among the free agents with Texas Rangers' ties or interest as the MLB offseason moves into January.

A number of free agents with connections to the Texas Rangers are still on the market, and with the calendar flipped to 2024, spring training feels right around the corner.

The defending World Series champions don’t appear to have a lot of holes, but openings remain for a few roles. Starting pitching and high-leverage reliever are the most glaring needs.

The Rangers figure prominently in both hunts.

MLB.com did a round up of the best remaining free agents on the market. Jordan Montgomery, a postseason hero for Texas on the way to the title, is obviously listed.

Per MLB.com:

Montgomery provided a huge lift to the Rangers after coming over from St. Louis at the Trade Deadline. He registered a 2.83 ERA across 98 2/3 innings, postseason included, to help Texas capture its first World Series championship.

The competition is stiff for Montgomery, who insiders expect will command a "massive" contract. Also, the veteran lefty appears to be in no hurry to sign.

All-Star closer Josh Hader has been linked to the Rangers the entire offseason. As mentioned recently, the champs may be balking on Hader’s asking price.

One year after Edwin Díaz set a record for the largest contract ever signed by a reliever ($102 million over five years with the Mets), Hader could break it. The left-hander is by far the best available closer on the market, having bounced back from a rocky 2022 season by posting a 1.28 ERA with 33 saves and 85 K’s over 56 1/3 innings in ‘23.

Entering his age-30 season, Hader has long been one of the top bullpen arms in the Majors, earning five All-Star selections, winning three Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Awards and notching a lifetime 2.50 ERA with an eye-popping 15.0 K/9 over seven seasons with the Brewers and Padres. Opponents have posted a mere .156/.253/.291 slash line against the southpaw during his career.

Also of note is Aroldis Chapman, who did enjoy a somewhat up-and-down existence after coming to Texas during the season from the Kansas City Royals. There’s still life in Chapman’s arm.

Chapman can be shaky at times as his command comes and goes, but he has 321 career saves and ranked in the 99th percentile or better in average fastball velocity, expected batting average, whiff rate and strikeout rate in 2023.

Should the Rangers land Montgomery and/or Hader, their big spending for this offseason is likely done.

Where Do Rangers Rank In Free-Agent Spending?

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