The Texas Rangers catcher position failed hard this year, missing the postseason for the third straight time while losing 126 games of production to injury. The only bright spot was Elias Diaz, who the Dallas News says saved the team from disaster after joining in June. His 77 games played and 0.4 fWAR proved he was the real starter, not the expensive guys on the bench.
Kyle Higashioka and Danny Jansen were supposed to be the answer, but health issues and poor defense ruined their years. Higashioka missed the final 62 games with a right flexor strain that stopped him from throwing. A right forearm strain caused Jansen to miss 64 games during the middle of the year. When they did play, they hit near league average but hurt the team in the field.
A Grade of F for Health and Defense
The Rangers achieved an average defensive grade solely because Diaz anchored the area behind the plate. The Dallas News reported that without his stability, the unit would have been a net negative. It is a sad reality when your emergency backup plan turns out to be your best option. Higashioka and Jansen both posted negative defensive runs saved and defensive value metrics.
Jansen’s contract looks like a trap right now. He is in the second year of a two-year deal and his first half was terrible. He slashed .194/.288/.315 before getting hurt. The Dallas News highlighted that he earned September team player of the month honors after posting a .314/.397/.529 slash line upon his return. That late surge saved his season, but it does not fix the hole left by his 64 missed games.
Competition Is the Only Cure
President of baseball operations Chris Young and manager Skip Schumaker know they need to change the culture. Sports Illustrated via Yahoo Sports, reported that both leaders admitted the lack of competition in spring training created problems when injuries hit. They said the seeds for change were planted in spring training, but the roster was too baked in. They need players who can displace starters, not just fill spots.
The front office did good work signing Diaz and Nicky Lopez, but that is not enough for 2027. The team must acquire players who can play every day and force the current guys to earn their jobs. Schumaker said during the season that the lack of competition left them with no options once players got hurt. The Rangers cannot rely on hope for the next three years.
What Needs to Happen Next
The Rangers must find a suitable partner to play alongside or start over Jansen next season. His career track record suggests he is still a viable option to start, but only if he stays healthy. The team cannot afford to have two catchers on the injured list again. The Dallas News says the scouting department saved the season, but they cannot save it every year.
The path forward is clear. The team needs to stop promising jobs and start creating a culture where everyone fights for a spot. If they do not fix this, the offense will keep sputtering and the defense will keep giving up runs. The 2023 World Series is over, and three years of frustration have set in.
