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Rangers Should Bet on Grisham Rebounding Close to Home
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- Rangers Should Bet on Grisham Rebounding Close to Home
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The Texas Rangers face an extensive offseason workload , with the approaching lockout expected to reduce the amount of time available for transactions.
President of baseball operations Chris Young and his staff must address weaknesses throughout most areas of the roster before business potentially stops.
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Finding an outfielder should rank among their leading priorities. Texas particularly needs a center fielder capable of contributing offensively, although adding help at any outfield position would be useful.
The Rangers are expected to operate around the margins financially, leaving them with limited alternatives on the open market.
Trent Grisham could provide the impactful bat Texas needs when performing at his best.
How Grisham can help Rangers?
The New York Yankees acquired Grisham alongside Juan Soto on Dec. 6, 2023. He then delivered his breakout campaign during a completely healthy 2025 season, hitting .235 with 34 home runs, 74 RBIs and an .811 OPS in 143 games.
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His circumstances changed considerably in 2026.
Grisham suffered two separate strains in his right hamstring and missed substantial time on the Injured List. Before the first injury, his underlying metrics remained consistent with those from his breakout year.
His production declined dramatically following his first stint on the Injured List. Grisham may never have completely recovered, although his performance before 2025 gave many observers reasons to question whether the breakout was sustainable.
He finished 2026 hitting .211 with 18 home runs, 59 RBIs and a .703 OPS in 121 games.
A one-year contract would allow Texas to determine whether Grisham can rediscover his 2025 performance without accepting significant long-term risk.
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FanGraphs projects Grisham to hit 20 home runs in 2027. That would exceed the production Texas received from center field in 2026, when players at the position combined for 17 home runs.
That difference is meaningful enough to improve a Rangers lineup that needs more offense from its outfield.
Grisham's upside
Grisham's considerable decline last season should also make his contract affordable, fitting the type of value-oriented move Texas has increasingly pursued during recent offseasons, especially through free agency.
This year's free agent group is considered one of the weakest in recent memory. Grisham could consequently become an overlooked addition who delivers considerable value because he has already demonstrated his upside.
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Grisham's ability to cover center field while providing left-handed power would give manager Skip Schumaker greater lineup flexibility.
Grisham would also create legitimate competition for regular playing time rather than allowing Texas to rely on one unchallenged option.
A short agreement would give him an opportunity to rebuild his market while helping the Rangers fill an obvious need.
Grisham was born in Texas, and the opportunity to play closer to home could give the Rangers an advantage during a potential bidding competition.
