In MLB insider Jim Bowden's list of top 50 MLB free agents for 2025-26, he wrote that the Texas Rangers are among the best fits for free-agent starting pitchers Merrill Kelly and Tyler Mahle.
The Rangers' starting rotation currently includes Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Leiter. Hopefully, Kumar Rocker can take his game to the next level, but the Rangers cannot count on that. The Rangers also cannot count on Cody Bradford returning healthy and in peak form. Therefore, signing two established starting pitchers would be in Texas' best interest, but signing at least one is necessary.