Chris Young & Ross Fenstermaker Break Down Texas Rangers Signing Danny Jansen, Rangers Free Agency

What is it that you guys really like about Danny Jansen? >> Yeah, Jeeoff, I um one just um the player he is. I mean, we start there. I think he's a great fit for for our team. Um you know, obviously we decided to non-tender Jonah. And with that decision, we knew we needed to try to upgrade that position and find somebody that would compliment Higgy. and just everything that we've learned about Danny over the last couple seasons, we've been interested in him in the past, we've tried to trade for him in the past and um and then now as a free agent, the ability to bring him in, we think he's the perfect fit. Um from a person, from a leader, uh his relationships with uh his pitchers, um just the winning personality that he brings. Um we think that it'll really be a good boost to our group. It'll complement Kyle Hagioa. We feel like the two of them behind the plate together um will make a great tandem. >> Uh okay, so I guess you answered the next question. Are you guys still seeking catching help like a a a younger controllable guy or are you confident these guys can log? >> I would characterize it as for 2026 it's less of a need. I think we're always open-minded to finding young controllable players that can be part of our future. But for 2026, we feel great about Higgy and Danny um shoring up the catching position. >> Okay. And then, you know, Tyler with all of his local ties. Um how badly did he want to be here? And then also, you know, he's like a premium strikethrower, so I'm guessing that's his calling card. >> Yeah, Tyler. Um I can't speak to how badly he wanted to be here. I mean, I um we love getting local players that have connections to this uh this organization. I certainly experienced that and so I know uh what that means to players to come play at home. But, you know, ultimately we felt like Tyler's a great um addition to our bullpen in an area that we need, which is length. Um he's started in the past. He's obviously can go long relief uh premium strikethrower um left-handed and uh and and is really going to give us some versatility that we need in in the bullpen to eat innings. and um and we've heard just wonderful things about the person in terms of being a competitor, a winner, similar attributes to Danny Jansen that I just described. >> Okay, thanks Chris. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Go ahead, Kennedy. >> I guess with the catching position, Chris, what do we kind of I guess looking at in terms of workload or is that something that will just kind of be come as we see it, you know, going into the season? You know, we have two catchers in their 30s and I think, you know, ideally it's an 81 81 game split, but we're going to be cognizant of the workload for each of them. And and I can't commit to that, but we we see it as probably an even split at this point. And with a I guess a catcher that's been traded as much as he has just the last couple of years, is that is that something that makes it easier for a guy to be able to come in and get acclimated in spring training with a a pitching staff and things like that? Yeah, I can't speak to that perfectly. What I can say is that he's been traded the last couple years because he's been a very desirable player and um and but it is catching's probably the hardest position to move at the deadline. uh because it it requires a player familiarizing himself with 13 plus um pitchers on a staff. But Danny has an unbelievable reputation as a winning person, a winning player, a teammate, and so I I think he'll make a natural transition into our group and be an additive to our clubhouse. >> Thanks, Chris. >> Go ahead, Evan. [snorts] >> Hey, Chris. with uh with the moves that you've made since the since the start of the off season on the catching front. You just said it's less of a need, but you've got an optionable catcher right in Macyver and you've got a veteran in Herrera now on a minor league deal that I assume would have an out sometime during the season. Does it feel like you've got a a really well-rounded mix to to kind of ensure especially with two guys like you talked about that are in their 30s who while you hope go 81 81 you know you may need to to fill some games there. >> Yeah there there's no doubt Evan I mean I think that's why we will always be open-minded but we do feel really good. I think our um group has done a tremendous job of building out the depth um at catching um you know AAA and these guys could be in the big leagues too. I mean, it's conceivable that we would carry three catchers at certain points if if they're the right fit. Um, so you just it's an area of need in our organization. We um developmentally just haven't gotten the players to the big leagues at this position. And I think that we it was a focal point for us into this off season. And I think our group's done a great job. Ross, Mike Parnell, and others have done a tremendous job of really identifying the right players and the targets um in the in the uh at the minor league level and then obviously at the big league level in free agency. Adding Danny we feel like will be a huge boost. >> Does Alexander signing have any given his versatility and his ability to pitch innings, does his signing have any impact on how you approach Jacob Latz going into spring training? Um, no, we still view it the same that the decision on lats is to be determined and we don't have to make that decision really as we until we get closer to opening day. Um, I think we've got more work to do in terms of rounding out this roster. Uh, I can't tell you if that's going to be in terms of relievers or starting pitchers, but my guess is that we will add more arms. Um, and Jake has shown unbelievable versatility. He's shown the ability to start. We also think he could be a really good leverage arm for us. So, uh, to be determined, but that decision um, is not really impacted by adding Tyler. >> Hey, the with these signings, and I'm I'm I'm including Diaz pending that all goes through today. But with these signings, it looks like basically the money that you saved on the Simeon deal in the short term was allocated for these three deals. Um, and so it seems like you haven't like in my math, you haven't netted an actual dollar in terms of of of free agency dollars. Do you feel like you now have a pretty clear view of what you can do, what you what you need to do, and and and how to allocate those dollars going forward? >> Uh, yeah, we we do. Um, and you know, we're operating accordingly, and um I very um happy with the players we've added thus far and you know, as we said going in, the payroll is going to be different this year. Um, but the most important aspect for us is that we have to get the best out of our own players. We can't have 10 of our 13 position players kind of underperform expectations. We have to find a way to get the best out of our own. And that's what we're focused on doing. We've got our coaching staff coming in this week and we've got uh great communication um with our players, with our staff and alignment. And uh it's been a very proactive offseason uh internally. there hasn't been a really a day that we haven't been working on ways that we're going to improve. >> So, last thing and I'll I'll get out of here. The um with those three players you've added on the offensive side, I think that they had a composite 325 328 OBP compared to the three subtractions. It's a 270 280 something. How much better do you feel you guys are in terms of addressing what you said was a significant need getting on base more? Yeah, I I think we, you know, we've obviously been intentional with the types of players and the profiles we've targeted. Um, you know, and we feel like we're going to create a lineup that one through nine, um, is a tough has is full of tough outs that we have a collective mindset and approach that we're going to grind the opposing pitcher and we're going to go up committed to a game plan and and really be able to to work the opposing pitcher and stay disciplined to that plan. Um, and so, you know, it looks great on paper. Um, we thought last year's team looked great on paper as well, and it didn't pan out. So, um, you know, the proof is in the pudding. We we got to go get it done. And, uh, but JV, Justin V has been hard at work, um, connecting with all of our hitters. Um, Skip has been tremendous and the communication with his staff, his expectations, and there's just tremendous alignment um, from the front office to the coaching staff um, and through Skip. It's been wonderful and it's been exciting and I think, you know, ultimately we have to find a way to get the best out of these guys and we feel like we're one choosing the right types of players and then two creating the environment for those guys to succeed. >> Thanks. >> Yeah, thank you. Go to Jared. >> I questions for for both of you guys, but uh see why you you just sort of kind of answered it about the the different types of profiles. So, you got some some aggressive hitters who are going to be in your lineup every single day. You've acquired Brandon NMO and Danny Jansen, both guys who can work counts and and draw walks. So, beyond just needing to get a capture, filling this position or that position, is it important to build a lineup that checks a variety of skill set type boxes as opposed to one type or too many of of the same type of hitter? >> Yeah, Jared. And I think that that's probably a little bit what we whiffed on last year was just that we had, you know, too many profiles that were similar, especially with Adulus, JJ, and and Jake Burgerer. And, you know, when they all kind of went cold at certain times, it just that were, you know, um, combined with injuries and younger players, uh, that had to perform in roles and we were depending on probably more than we needed to or wanted to, um, it compounded the problem. So, our our goal is to one build the depth and just the quality of at bat throughout the lineup. Um, you know, and then we expect our own guys to bounce back. I mean, we we really excited about Jake Burgerer and Josh Young and hopeful that they will bounce back and be the players that we expect them to be. And if they do that, combined with Brandon NMO and Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford and Jo Peterson and obviously Corey Seager and the good version of Josh Smith, um, this is this is a really good lineup. It's a really talented lineup. >> So, I know that a lot can happen between now and spring and once the season starts, but from a bullpen standpoint, who are some guys in the system who you think have a legitimate shot to contribute at the big league level this year? >> Ross, why don't you take that? >> Yeah, thanks Jared. Uh, I mean, I think we've got several options depending on ultimately what their roles are. um some of which are on the 40man roster. Uh we've got Ameliano Teoto, Mark Church, uh we've talked about a variety of roles. Leandro Lopez potentially shortening him down. Um Winston Santos, Jose Cornneel appeared as a, you know, he's a starter for us in the system, but there's also potential to introduce him to a major league bullpen in that route as well. So, we feel like we've got a good upper level contingent. uh you know double AAA some on roster some off that are in really good spots to contribute um in in very short order. So excited to see that development continue. >> And then last one for me when you guys went into last offseason and basically had to build a bullpen uh not too dissimilar from what the the challenge is this offseason. What were some of the things that were important in getting kind of like we're talking about the line, getting the right pieces to fit together and and in looking back, what do you think you learned like, hey, this this went right. This played a big role in us being able to successfully do that because obviously that's not an easy task to have to to fulfill. >> Ross, go ahead. Yeah, Jared, I think one of the things we set out to accomplish last off seasonason that we learned from is the the value of attacking the strike zone and getting ahead and creating count leverage. Now, we created a lot of variety of options uh for our group out, you know, to deploy differently in the bullpen, uh different pockets, and I think, you know, similar to what we talked about on the offense in terms of lessons learned, just creating that variety, the variety of options for a manager to deploy strategically and and create opportunities to get outs against different types of batters in different types of situations. But I think a a through point for us is just getting back to the the fundamentals of dominating the strike zone, getting ahead and creating count leverage. And that's something I think we're going to continue to lean into moving forward. >> Yeah. And I just add one thing on that. It's as much about the profile as it is the person, too. And you know, we we do a lot of work on the um the person and their competitiveness and their fit within the clubhouse. And you know that's where we've been pretty good at hitting on some of these guys in the last couple seasons and our goal is that we continue that. >> Awesome. Thanks guys. >> Go to Matt Poston's cy given the movement uh especially in the reliever market especially at the top of the market. Um what's been responsible for that and how has that impacted the type of relievers you guys have pursued in free agency to this point? Well, the the top of the reliever market's been impacted by the fact that these guys are great players and um and they don't grow on trees. So, uh teams have to pay a lot of money to get them. Um and so that's you know, we haven't been competing at the top of the market. Um but nonetheless, there is a trickle down effect. The reliever market has moved faster this year than in years past. And I think for us, we've been very good about being disciplined to the types of players and profiles and people that we feel like um fit what we need. And we're going to continue to do that and um try to be opportunistic when um when those players are available and ready to sign. >> Okay, Mac, go ahead. >> Uh all right. Um we're here on December 16th. So, you've obviously got couple months left before the start of training camp. What's left on your wish list for the hopeful look of your opening day roster? >> Yeah. Um, in terms of building out the roster, Mac, I think we'd like to continue to add to the bullpen. We'd like to fortify our starting pitching and uh and and maybe find a right-handed bat um to complement kind of the left-handedness of our group. But um you know, but we we've been able to address some of the bullpen. We feel like we've addressed catching, which were the primary areas of need. We'll continue to address the bullpen. And then, of course, I um I always say the starting pitching for me is the foundation of any team success. And so building out that depth and um finding, you know, another starter would be great. >> Uh the other thing too is and this is on behalf of Rangers fans with with long memories and even selective memories for a while. You guys have been in the top third of Major League Baseball in payroll and you've been really obviously had very very active periods in free agency, especially four or five years ago. This decision to take a step back, I think for Rangers fans is sort of a PTSD of this idea. We're just not going to be as competitive as a result or we're, for lack of a better term, Chris, we're going cheap or budget. So for that that contingent of Ranger fans, what can you say to allay their fears that just because we're reallocating funds and maybe not spending m as much as we once were, that doesn't necessarily mean we don't expect to be as competitive as we want to be. >> Yeah, Mac, I appreciate you asking. If we felt like we weren't be going to be competitive, we would we would take multiple steps back and and really assess, you know, how to build for the future long term. We feel really good about the core of this team. I mean, we have a core group that most teams would be thrilled to have. You look at the starting pitching with Jacob Deg Grom, Nathan Evaldi, Jack Lighter. Uh we've got Cody Bradford coming back. I mean, that's a rotation that is really, really solid, and we haven't done our job as a front office of building out that rotation yet, which I think that we have good um players that we can continue to add there. On the position player side, you've got Josh Young at third base. You've got a potential Hall of Famer and Cory Seager at short. We've got Josh uh Smith likely to fill second base who's been a silver slugger and a really good player, a borderline all-star. Um Jake Burgerer's a 30 home run hitter, the good version of Jake, and we need that to show up this year. Uh we just traded for Brandon NMO who's an all-star outfielder. we've got, you know, a World Series champion and Evan Carter that we need to keep on the field, but this guy is, you know, the teams that have called on him this off seasonason. I mean, everybody um sees how good Evan Carter can be and and we feel like Wyatt Langford is going to be a superstar if he's not already. Um there's a great foundation for this team to win. And I said this before, you know, just because the payroll, we could spend as much as we want, but if we don't get the best out of our own, it's not going to matter. And so, you know, I I understand our fans um point of view in that. And I want to make it very clear from my perspective. I'm highly competitive and I'm in this to win. And we feel like as an organization, we expect to win. And uh and we feel like we've got the team to do that. So, by all means, we we expect to win. and despite the payroll coming down a little bit. Um, and then when we do win, our expectation is that we're going to go out and get the right pieces and spend to to finish off this roster. So, um, you know, ownership has been very good the last few deadlines of giving us that ability and it helped us win a World Series in 2023 and, you know, our job is to go get the job done on the field and when that happens, we're going to push for more. >> Thanks, Chris. >> Yeah, thank you. >> We'll go back to Jeff. Hey, as you guys cast your net on starting pitching, um I know Merryill's off the list, but uh are Mi and Corbin, who pretty significant contributions last year, are you guys still in touch with them, are they still candidates to return? We >> we can't comment on specific free agents, but we're we're looking at all available options. >> Okay. And and uh I I guess then this question um about the relievers from last year, you're still in contact with them, >> correct? >> Okay. Um did did you guys get very far down the road with Merryill? >> Um you know, we we we had conversations. He had a great experience here. Uh he would would have been very open. He also lives in Arizona and um you know, felt like they were the front runner all along. But um starting pitching was not at the top of our uh priority list. Um and you know his market accelerated um you know before we were ready to engage um at the level that he got. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Go ahead Evan. see why, you know, we keep talking about internal and the internal improvements and it just feels like so much of that is contingent upon Josh Young and Jake Burgerer taking steps. I know you mentioned them a moment ago, but it just feels like if there's, for lack of a better term, kind of a hot seat, those two guys are in in position where they really got to take a step forward. >> Well, I mean, Evan, it's it's a performance-based game and those guys know it. I'm not saying anything that they don't know. Uh you know, we feel like we've got some young players uh one of whom was added to the roster and Abby Ortiz that um you know has real potential and upside and he's got to play his way to the big leagues. Um you know Cody Freeman has played a a really good third base in the past. Um he showed some things last year. Um you know at second base, at third there's versatility there. Josh Smith can play third. I mean, we just if we expect our players to play to the level that they are capable. Um, but in the end, if they do not, we have to make decisions to put the best team out on the field. And so, competition is a great thing. >> Hey, >> but I I want to make it clear, we believe in these players. They're they're both very successful major league players. Um, JJ part of a World Series team and Jake has been a 30 home run hitter in the big leagues. Um, that's hard to do. These are these are very very good players and we believe in them and we expect them to be the good versions of themselves. >> To kind of play off of something that Max said a moment ago, you know, when you on the fan aspect, you are such a good face of this franchise and in a lot of ways you're thrust into the role of being in the face on on multiple fronts. But when you talk to fans and they ask about the payroll this year and they ask about why, how do you explain that to them? I mean, I know it's an ownership decision, but how do you explain the reasoning behind it? >> Yeah, you know, I can't perfectly answer that question, Evan, because I I don't make all the decisions, but I will say that ownership has been great, and for three years straight, we exceeded the luxury tax. Um, you know, it led to a World Series in one of those years, and two years we didn't make the playoffs. And that's that's my it starts with me. It's my regret that we did not make the playoffs the last two seasons that we underachieved what our payroll was. Um and so as I've stepped back and and calibrated um in terms of what we need and how we're going to win um it's not always about the additions, it's about what we are going to do internally. And there were a lot of playoff teams last year that had payrolls significantly lower than where ours is going to be this year. Um, I was part of a team that was in the playoffs or, you know, that had a payroll significantly lower. Um, you know, spending does not necessarily, uh, guarantee success and and there have been teams that spent, you know, hundreds of millions of dollars last year that didn't make the playoffs. And so, uh, and we were one of them. So I I I just have to say that ultimately I believe in the talent of this team and I am really excited about our manager, our coaching staff, uh the alignment from our front office to the to the staff to our players and ultimately what will decide our fate is our environment and how hungry these guys are. And there is not one person in this organization that does not have something to prove. And for me, the teams that I've been part of, the championship teams that I've been part of, they didn't have the highest of expectations externally, but internally, there was a hunger and a fire and a desire that brought that group together um that that allow them to achieve great things. And that's been my experience my entire life, whether it's been in little league, high school, college, minor leagues, or World Series championships as a player and now as a general manager. Um, and so for me, those are the things that I'm focused on is that I want to see our group hungry and passionate and fighting and and and playing with a grit and a fearless determination. And if we do that, I'll bet on the talent of this club. I really will. And that's that's my expectation. So, I I hope that's a an answer that explains a little bit, you know, your question, Max's question. Like, those are the things that matter. And I think the Toronto Blue Jays proved that last year. you saw the way they competed and the way they played and it's it's a disappointment for me that we didn't exhibit enough of that to get to where we needed to go and we're focused on getting back to that and that's my goal for this organization. >> That that's a great answer to a question that probably isn't under your total purview. So, I really appreciate it. Thank you. >> Yeah, of course. >> Okay, Chuck, I won't butcher the last name here. We want to welcome Chuck from Channel 4 in San Antonio. Good to see you on here. Chuck, you're muted. >> Let's uh unmute there. Yeah, for either gentleman actually. I mean, can you guys tell us what the conversations were like with Josh Young and you know during the offseason? What would you like to see him do better? What would you like to see him, you know, make a leap in? You know, I know he's battled injuries and all that, but what was the conversations like with him? Yeah, Ross, why don't you take that? >> Yeah, I mean, I think Josh is part of that is, you know, staying on the field, um, which he's hard to work at, and he's, you know, as dedicated and committed as any player that we have in that regard. Um, but we talked a little bit about getting back to, you know, his best version offensively, which is, you know, a little bit more power oriented, but also controlling the strike zone at the same time, taking his shots where where need be. And he plays a great defense at third base. We can count on that. that's as reliable as as anyone we have. Um, but just getting back to, you know, finding his approach again and regaining uh some of his power stroke, which uh we think is very much in the cards as he continues to control the strike zone better and get better opportunities. >> You guys worried at all about the toll of the injuries on his hands that have may have contributed to some of this or nonsequiter? Uh, I don't I don't necessarily think that, you know, it's a long-term concern for us. I do think there's a, you know, a delayed effect sometimes when you talk about hands, fingers, and wrists with hitters, but, um, we think that we expect a full recovery there, and Josh is going to be in a good spot moving forward, and that's not something that's a long-term concern for us. >> Did he have any cleanups or anything this off season physically that you guys know of? >> I don't I don't No. No. >> Okay. And is his contract is he a is he an arbitration guy? >> He's ar eligible. Yes, he's he's going through the arbitration process. >> Okay. Thank you. Appreciate you guys. >> Chuck, thank you. We like like hearing from our San Antonio friends. Yeah. Spurs had a big victory this week, huh? >> They did. Yeah. Looks like basketball for a change. Something we haven't seen in a few years around here. So, we're pretty happy about >> exciting times for them. That's a a great franchise. That's exciting. But really quick on JJ, we we we love JJ and we expect JJ to bounce back. He's a competitor. He's one of our hardest workers. He's a great teammate. He's got so many of the attributes that we want in our players and we really believe that he's going to bounce back. Um you know, I think Ross alluded to it. Just cutting down the volatility and having a more consistent approach and and more consistent performance um is probably key for him and that's the next step in him becoming an established veteran major league player. Would you like to see him, does he have to? I mean, I don't know what the dynamic is in the locker room. Would you like him to see like like him to be more of a leader too in this new locker room that's about to be unfolded? >> You know, he's he's one of our veteran players that's been here um you know, as long as maybe anybody uh in terms of the organization. He's naturally one of those players, but part of leadership is just the ability to go out and perform and and to to do it on the field day in day out. And um so that's part of it, but he is he he is, you know, one of the leaders in the clubhouse. There's no doubt. >> Okay. Thank you guys. Appreciate you. >> Yeah. >> All right. Thanks, Chuck. We'll wrap this up with another question from Mac. >> Um real quick for Chris, uh I know this when you move a player of Simeon's caliber and especially in light of the other things that Evan and I asked you about, Corey Seager's name came up. It did not come up obviously from anything that you said or initiated. Yeah. But um can you address that idea that somehow or maybe he is? I don't know. Chris, is there any reason why Corey won't be the starting shorts stop for this club in 26? >> No. Sorry, Hack. [laughter] still getting over a upper respiratory. But um no, I I uh like I said, teams, you look at this free agent market, especially the shortstop market, and and you you know, teams are looking to improve at that position, and they obviously reached out and that got out through other markets. Um you know, from our standpoint, there was no engagement um from our end aside from just answering the phone, uh which we do with every team. So um but I understand it. I understand why teams would have interest in Cory, but if we're going to win, we need Cory Seager, and that's our expectations. So, I appreciate you asking, and uh, you know, but we're we're thrilled that Cory Seager is a Texas Ranger, and we u, you know, we expect to win our next championship with Cory Seager as our shortstop. >> Great. Thanks, Chris. >> Thank you. Hey, [music] hey, hey. [music]

Watch as Chris Young & Ross Fenstermaker Break Down Texas Rangers Signing Danny Jansen, Rangers Free Agency

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