Rangers' Offseason Moves: Fried, Eovaldi, and Future Spending

Before Max Fried signed with the Yankees, the Texas Rangers reportedly offered him a seven-year contract worth $190 million, according to the New York Post. After missing out on Fried, the Rangers quickly pivoted and re-signed Nathan Eovaldi to a three-year deal worth $75 million. Interestingly, both contracts have a similar average annual value, meaning the Rangers would have spent roughly the same amount of money in the short term with either pitcher. The key difference would have been the long-term financial commitment, particularly in Years 4-7 of Fried's contract.


The Rangers' aggressive move for Fried raises questions about their financial strategy moving forward. With the re-signing of Eovaldi and the recent acquisition of Jake Burger, who has a near league minimum salary, it's unclear if the Rangers are still willing to spend big or if they have simply reallocated their 2025 dollars differently.


As the 2023 World Series champions, the Rangers are looking to maintain their competitive edge. While their position player group appears mostly set, barring any trades involving Adolis García, the team could benefit from additional pitching depth, particularly in the bullpen.