The Texas Rangers have prioritized bullpen help and one report has the team already talking to options at the Winter Meetings in Nashville. The Rangers are one of several teams that are showing interest in free-agent reliever Jordan Hicks, reports the New York Post. The World Series champions are joined by their AL West rival Houston Astros, along with the Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals, in pursuing the 27-year-old right-hander.
St. Louis could be of interest to Hicks as he started his MLB career there before the Cardinals traded him at last season’s deadline to Toronto. The Blue Jays needed to reinforce their bullpen for a playoff run, which ended with a sweep at the hands of Minnesota Twins in the AL Wild Card playoffs. He finished the 2023 season 3-9 with a 3.29 ERA. But he trimmed the ERA to 2.63 with the Blue Jays. He also struck out 11.1 hitters per nine innings for the season. In five seasons as a reliever, Hicks is 11-21 with a 3.85 ERA. The Rangers triggered José Leclerc’s option after the World Series and, for now, he would be the closer for 2024. The Rangers are seeking to upgrade there, along with the rest of the bullpen. The Rangers have two veteran set-up men in Josh Sborz — one of the club’s most trusted relievers in the postseason — and Brock Burke, who pitched little in the postseason. The only other bullpen option is Cody Bradford, who is a long reliever.
Expand to the 40-man roster and the Rangers have Grant Anderson, Jonathan Hernández, Jake Latz and Yerry Rodriguez as options. Will Smith, Aroldis Chapman and Chris Stratton, all veteran relievers, became free agents. Hicks could partner with Sborz and Burke to get the baseball to Leclerc. But Hicks could also be a longer-term play for the Rangers, given his experience as a part-time closer. Leclerc’s contract goes through 2024 and Hicks could be seen as a cheaper option to close games in 2025.
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