When the Texas Rangers committed half a billion dollars to their middle infield duo four years ago they envisioned that it would bring them longer term success for the next decade. While it has resulted in a championship, they now part ways with half of the duo after two straight dissapointing seasons.
The news of Marcus Semien heading to the New York Mets in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo was a nostalgia hit for Rangers’ fans but it’s not like it was totally out of the blue. After experiencing a rather rapid decline offesensively and owed over $26 million over the next couple of seasons, trading Semien was a clear answer.
Now the question is, who will replace the Gold Glove second baseman as the full-time option? Do they plan to platoon? Do they have other moves in the wait? Let’s explore it.
Josh Smith has to be on short list to take over full-time second base duties
The 28-year-old Smith is probably in the best position of all following the news of Semien’s trade to Queens. It means that after a few years of platooning and learning new positions, he will have a permanent position next season.
Since his breakout in 2024, Smith has slashed .254/.336/.380 with 23 homers, 97 RBIs, .736 OPS and a 110 OPS+. He’s done that in 293 games and playing every position on the diamond except catcher and pitcher.
While he did slow down in the second half of the season, something can be argued it was because of the constant change of positions. While he did well with it in 2024, a lot can be said for someone having a set spot to play every game.
What other options do the Rangers have for second base?
If the Rangers are looking to remain internal and keep costs low, the best direction would be platooning Smith with Cody Freeman.
Freeman, 24, is coming off his first taste of big league action appearing in 36 games for the Rangers in 2025. He raised his stoke drastically by putting up a fantastic year with Triple-A Round Rock hitting .336 with 19 home runs, 75 RBIs, 25 doubles and a .942 OPS. It earned him the Texas Rangers Tom Grieve Minor League Player of the Year.
Texas saw a lot of potential during his time in the majors, often being the leader of what was dubbed “The Little Rascals”. He was the spark plug for a Texas team that went 16-9 in July, 14-14 in August and got within two games back of first place in the American League West by mid-September.
If Texas didn’t want Smith or Freeman to take control of a full-time role and leave it to a veteran option, the Rangers could do that but have to keep cost in mind. They traded Semien to get back outfield production but also to cut payroll. All things considred Texas has about $25-30 million to play with to get around their targeted $200 million mark.
They could bring back Dylan Moore on a $2.6 million contract but they could also go for the big fish and bring in former Padre and Marlin Luis Arraez, who is projected to make $14 million AAV on the open market.
Not only would that give Texas a sold veteran presence at second base, it would also increase their hitting production. On a down season, Arraez batted .292 and led the National League in hits with 181. It would also mean a reunion with his old skipper Skip Schumaker, whom he played for during both Skip’s years as the manager in Miami.
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