This past MLB offseason saw a flurry of moves including a 15 year, $765 million dollar deal for Mets outfielder Juan Soto that became the biggest deal not only in MLB history but also the largest contract in North American pro sports ever.
However, throughout the crazy offseason, the two Texas teams made some smaller, sneakier moves that could put them in contention for another World Series title. Here’s how the Rangers and the Astros lineup for the 2025 MLB season.
Texas Rangers
Projected Record (per ESPN): 87-75
Playoff Odds (per ESPN): 61%
World Series Odds (Per ESPN): 5.2%
Stout Poll (Ranking in Texas): 1
Opening Day Opponent: Red Sox
The Rangers actually made quite a bit of moves in the 2024-25 offseason, albeit not a lot of big-name signings. Most notably they re-signed ace Nathan Eovaldi in a 3 year, $75 million dollar deal to lock him down for quite possibly the last years of his career. Texas also signed designated hitter Joc Pederson in a two-year deal worth $37 million to bring a lefty-power hitter into an already great offensive lineup.
The Rangers infield may be one of the best in the nation starring second baseman Marcus Semien, shortstop Corey Seager and third baseman Josh Jung who all bolster the lineup both fielding and hitting with a combined nine ASG selections. First baseman Nathaniel Lowe was sent to Washington in exchange for lefty pitcher Robert Garcia who will look to bounce back after a 4.22 ERA season. To fill the hole left by Lowe, the Rangers acquired first/third baseman Jake Burger in exchange for a few prospects.
The 23 year old Wyatt Langford is expected to be the starting left fielder for opening day and has raked in spring training with a .424 AVG and a 1.183 OPS in only 33 at bats. In addition to Langford, right fielder Adolis “El Bombi” Garcia will continue to be a great hitter with a career .749 OPS. Leody Taveras should be the opening day center fielder but don’t be surprised if the 22 year old Evan Carter comes up from AAA and becomes an instant hit.
Switch hitter Jonah Hiem will be behind the dish for the Rangers catching one of the best starting rotations in baseball consisting of two time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Tyler Mahle, and young former Vanderbilt teammates Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker. deGrom has missed lots of the past two seasons due to Tommy John surgery but looks like he is set for a rebound season after giving solid innings this spring in Arizona. This rotation is one of the best in the league but banks on Leiter and Rocker having a big year in the absences of Jon Gray and Patrick Corbin due to injury.
The bullpen is not much to write home about. They lost Andrew Chafin, Kirby Yates and their star closer José Leclerc but brought in projected closer Luke Jackson, sidearm lefty Hoby Milner and Chris Martin. The bullpen can be good but will need smaller name players to step up big late in games.
The AL West is weak and it’s the Rangers division to win. The offense will be great featuring a plethora of hitters who all can hit at high levels. The defense should be fine but the question is in the pitching. Can deGrom rebound after two missed seasons? Can the young guys step up and eat up innings? Is the bullpen strong enough to compete at a high level?
If the answer to those questions is yes, this is a team that can go far and has a chance for their second World Series title in three years.
Houston Astros
Projected Record (per ESPN): 89-73
Playoff Odds (per ESPN): 68.7%
World Series Odds (Per ESPN): 5.4%
Stout Poll (Ranking in Texas): 2
Opening Day Opponent: Mets
The Astros lost a lot of talent in the offseason. Pillars of their dynasty such as pitcher Ryan Pressly, and outfielder Kyle Tucker were lost in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. Third baseman Alex Bregman decided to go to Boston after a 9 year run with the franchise which included two All-Star game selections, two World Series, a Gold Glove and an average of 5.8 wins-above-replacement per 162 games. Once again, pitcher Justin Verlander signed elsewhere, this time in San Francisco with the Giants.
However, the Astros are still a contender in the AL West as they return one of the league’s best hitters in designated hitter/outfielder Yordan Alvarez and newly positioned left fielder Jose Altuve. Center fielder Jake Meyers seems to have found a groove in spring training this season where he hit for a .935 OPS along with 3 homers and 7 RBIs and should improve upon a disappointing year at the plate last year.
Astros No. 1 prospect Cam Smith made the Opening Day roster and will be the starting right fielder against the Mets on Opening Day. Smith made the roster due to a breakout spring where he hit a .342 AVG, four homers and a 1.130 OPS. Smith has the looks of a franchise player which Houston needs in an aging clubhouse.
The Astros added Isaac Paredes in the trade with the Cubs to replace Bregman at third base and fill time at first base if needed. The young Jeremy Peña will continue to be an everyday fixture at shortstop for the ‘Stros. Newly acquired, three time Gold Glover Christian Walker will be playing at first base and should improve upon his already impressive .468 slugging and 26 homers from last year.
Yainer Diaz should be the everyday catcher and consistent hitter after a career best season at the plate which saw him slapping a .299 average and a 3.3 WAR in 148 games. Second baseman Mauricio Dubón put up a .269 AVG and a .657 OPS in 137 games last year, further boosting the lineup.
Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown and Ronel Blanco will be the stars of the Astros rotation this year. Valdez tossed a 2.91 ERA last year with a 1.11 WHIP and is set to have another good season and another ASG selection. The young Hunter Brown started 30 games for the Astros last year with a 1.27 WHIP in 2024 and is primed for a breakout season in 2025 after developing sinker last year contributing to a 46% whiff rate. Time will tell when Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers Jr. and Christian Javier will be able to return to the rotation as well.
Starting pitcher Ronel Blanco threw a no-hitter last year en route to a 2.80 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP to emphatically mark his breakout season at 31 years old. Expect some regression from last year, but Blanco should still be a good pitcher in an already solid rotation. Closer Josh Hader will look to bounce back after an ugly 3.80 ERA season in 2024. Hader, one of the best closers in baseball, has struggled this spring but I expect him to be in good shape for the season and be a devastating force out of the bullpen again.
Bryan Abreu will be tasked with hauling many innings this season, leading the charge out of the bullpen for the Astros. The 6’7’’ Forrest Whitley has a 1.80 ERA in five innings of work this spring and should take on a big role this season. Tayler Scott, Kaleb Ort and Shawn Dubin will eat innings as well.
The Astros have a chance in a weak AL West again. The lineup should continue to be one of the best offensive teams in baseball. The rotation should be good but includes the franchise banking off of some younger pitchers to give good innings. The real question in Houston is if they did enough to fill their losses. The number of signings was small but they hauled a good group of players and if those players perform, the Astros have a good chance to make another run to another ALCS.
