The Texas Rangers are betting big on their own talent to plug a gaping hole at second base—could this bold move pay off, or is it a risky gamble that might leave fans frustrated?
Just last month, the Rangers made a blockbuster trade, sending star second baseman Marcus Semien to the New York Mets in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo. This shake-up left a significant vacancy at second base in Arlington, but according to the latest buzz, the Rangers aren't eyeing external reinforcements to fill it. Jeff Wilson from DLLS Sports shared on X (formerly Twitter) that Texas intends to handle this internally, relying on players already in their system. For fans and analysts alike, this is a fascinating shift, highlighting the team's emphasis on homegrown solutions over flashy free-agent signings.
But here's where it gets intriguing—enter Josh Smith, the 28-year-old utility player who might just be poised for his big breakout.
Smith has been a jack-of-all-trades for the Rangers over the past few seasons, jumping between positions like a versatile infielder in a game of musical chairs. Now, with that second-base spot wide open, he's emerging as a top contender for regular duty there, particularly when facing right-handed pitchers. This left-handed hitter, who was selected in the second round of the draft, delivered solid performances in 2025, posting roughly average hitting, and even better in 2024. Across the last two years, his stats shine: a batting average of .254 with an on-base percentage of .336 and a slugging percentage of .380, equating to a weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) of 107—that's a metric that adjusts for ballpark factors and league difficulty, basically showing how much better or worse than an average hitter he was. To put it simply for newcomers, a wRC+ around 100 means league-average offense, so 107 is a notch above, indicating he was creating runs at a slightly better clip than most. On top of that, he smacked 23 home runs, hit 53 doubles, added three triples, and swiped 23 bases in 1,155 plate appearances across 293 games. Imagine the excitement of a guy who can hit for power, get on base, and even steal bags— that's the kind of versatile player who could energize the lineup!
Interestingly, second base has been the least-played position for Smith in his MLB career, with only 41 innings logged there. Part of that stems from Semien's legendary durability; the guy played in all but four games during his first three seasons in Texas, leaving scarce opportunities for others. Even this past season, when Semien appeared in just 127 games, Smith's time was split across third base and the outfield to cover injuries, resulting in just four second-base appearances. Instead, players like Cody Freeman, Dylan Moore, and Ezequiel Duran got more reps at the keystone spot as Semien's stand-ins.
And this is the part most people miss—while Smith looks promising, he's not the only internal option vying for attention.
Duran and Freeman are still part of the organization and on the 40-man roster, as is former first-round draft pick Justin Foscue. Any of them could potentially claim a larger role at second base, but none have matched Smith's offensive prowess in the majors thus far. For instance, Duran showed flashes of potential in 2023, but over the last two seasons in 504 plate appearances, he's hit just .237/.278/.309, which is below league average and suggests struggles with contact and power. Freeman impressed in Triple-A last year with a stellar .336/.382/.549 line and a low 8.7% strikeout rate in 97 games—think of him as crushing the ball in the minors. However, that form didn't translate to the big leagues, where he batted .228/.258/.342 with a higher 15.7% strikeout rate in 121 plate appearances, indicating he might not be ready to handle MLB pitching yet. Foscue delivered league-average offense in Triple-A this season but has a dismal .059/.094/.098 slash in a small 53-plate-appearance sample in the majors. Plus, he's faced defensive concerns and has been sharing time between second and first base lately.
The real long-term spark might come from Sebastian Walcott, a 19-year-old phenom widely hailed as one of the top ten prospects in baseball. Last year, he held his own against tougher Double-A competition, slashing .255/.355/.386 with 13 homers, 32 steals, a solid 12.7% walk rate, and a manageable 18.9% strikeout rate. Turning 20 in March, Walcott is currently a shortstop but could shift to second base if Corey Seager remains entrenched at shortstop. Prospects like him represent the future, and it's exciting to think about how he might evolve as the Rangers build from within.
No matter how it shakes out, it appears the Rangers are steering clear of notable free agents or trade acquisitions to address this second-base need. With their focus on cutting payroll costs, pursuing someone like Bo Bichette—a high-profile name—was never realistic. This report also implies that second-tier infield options such as Jorge Polanco, or trade possibilities like Brendan Donovan or Brandon Lowe, aren't on the radar. That said, they might add some depth through minor-league deals or a budget-friendly one-year contract for a lesser-known player later in the offseason. As Wilson points out, GM Ross Fenstermaker has emphasized being opportunistic in that area. For the moment, though, a major splash seems unlikely.
Here's where things get controversial—what do you think: Is prioritizing internal depth a smart, sustainable strategy, or are the Rangers shortchanging their chances at contention by not splurging on proven talent?
Shifting gears to another Rangers update, president of baseball operations Chris Young expressed a strong desire to re-sign reliever Josh Sborz after non-tendering him last week, as reported by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Young stressed that the team is "extremely" keen on bringing him back, but ideally on a minor-league deal to keep costs down.
Sborz, who didn't throw a pitch this season due to shoulder surgery in November 2024, was expected to return at some point in 2025. He embarked on a minor-league rehab assignment in mid-July but faced challenges, including subpar results and a fastball velocity that dropped more than three miles per hour. The Rangers paused and restarted his rehab multiple times before halting it altogether in early September.
The 31-year-old (turning 32 soon) had an up-and-down 2023, performing solidly early (a 3.83 ERA through mid-August) before getting hammered for 13 runs in 7 2/3 innings late in the season, inflating his ERA to 5.50. Yet, he rebounded spectacularly in the playoffs, becoming one of manager Bruce Bochy's go-to arms. In 12 innings, he allowed just one run (0.75 ERA), giving up four hits and four walks while striking out 13. That's the kind of clutch performance that teams dream about in high-stakes moments.
If another team offers Sborz a spot on their 40-man roster or a bigger paycheck on a non-guaranteed deal, the Rangers might struggle to hold onto him. But given his lost 2025 season, that scenario isn't guaranteed. Should he return on a minor-league pact, his past success and knowledge of the organization could give him a leg up in securing a bullpen role—assuming his shoulder fully recovers.
This approach to Sborz sparks another debate: Is it ethical or fair for teams to lowball players coming off injuries, betting on their loyalty? Or does it make financial sense in a sport where payroll matters? We'd love to hear your thoughts—do you agree with the Rangers' internal focus, or disagree? Share in the comments below!
