The Texas Rangers have made significant changes to their bullpen this offseason, focusing on enhancing their relief pitching depth. Among their seven free agent signings, four were dedicated bullpen arms, including Chris Martin, Hoby Milner, Shawn Armstrong, and Jacob Webb. Additionally, they traded for relievers Robert Garcia and Mason Molina from the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers, respectively. This move comes as many of last year's bullpen players hit free agency, creating a pressing need for new talent.
Two notable pitchers, closer Kirby Yates and elite setup man David Robertson, remain available on the market, despite their age potentially deterring some teams. Their excellent recent performances suggest any team that acquires them could receive a solid return on investment, especially since they may not demand as lucrative contracts as some top-tier options. For instance, All-Star Jeff Hoffman secured a three-year, $30 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, even after failing physicals with two other teams.
Andrew Chafin, another Texas reliever, is still seeking a contract after the Rangers declined his $6.5 million player option for 2025. His production dipped since being acquired from the Detroit Tigers, which influenced the decision. As the relief pitching market remains stagnant this winter, the action is expected to pick up soon with Spring Training approaching.
The New York Yankees have shown interest in bolstering their bullpen as well. Reports suggest they've discussed Chafin as an option to fulfill their need for a left-handed reliever, alongside other targets like Tim Hill and Brooks Raley. Chafin is particularly appealing due to his experience in high-leverage situations and solid performance against both right-handed and left-handed batters, despite a notable difference in slugging percentage allowed.
