The Texas Rangers enter the upcoming season with a clear and pressing need: they must fortify their designated hitter spot. After a disappointing offensive showing from the DH position and Jac Pederson in 2025, Texas cannot afford another year of below-average production if they hope to return to playoff contention.
The solution is both obvious and available: Marcell Ozuna. With his power profile, veteran presence, and bounce-back potential, Ozuna represents the ideal fit for a Rangers lineup that needs reliability and thump in the heart of the order. This is a prediction, not a report.
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Texas Rangers Sign Marcell Ozuna: Proposal
Texas ranked dead last in the American League with a .607 OPS from the DH position last season, a glaring weakness on a team built to score runs. The front office took a chance on Joc Pederson, hoping his left-handed power would stabilize the role, but the experiment failed to deliver.
As MLB reporter Mark Feinsand said:
“The Joc Pederson experiment did not go well for the Rangers, who ranked last in the AL with a .607 OPS out of the DH spot last season. Ozuna had a down year in Atlanta, hitting 21 home runs with 68 RBIs and a .756 OPS in 145 games, though he averaged 39 homers, 102 RBIs and a .916 OPS from 2023–24.
The 35-year-old may not get back to those levels, but even last year’s production would be an upgrade for Texas.”
Even in what was considered a down season, Ozuna still produced 21 home runs, 68 RBIs, and a .756 OPS — numbers that would have instantly transformed Texas’ weakest offensive spot into a competitive one.
What makes Ozuna particularly appealing is his recent track record. In 2023 and 2024, he was one of baseball’s most dangerous sluggers, averaging 39 homers and more than 100 RBIs with an OPS above .900. Even if age naturally pulls him away from MVP-caliber production, there’s little doubt that he remains a significantly above-average hitter who can change games with one swing.
Why Should the Rangers Do This?
For the Rangers, the appeal extends beyond the stat line. Their lineup already has foundational pieces like Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Evan Carter, and Josh Jung — but they lack a proven veteran power bat in the middle.
Seager and Semien can’t carry the offensive load alone, especially with Carter and Jung still developing and the roster dealing with periodic injuries. Adding Ozuna would give them a right-handed run producer who forces pitchers to attack the lineup differently. His presence lengthens the lineup, protects the team’s stars, and injects needed fear into late-game situations.
Texas also has motivation to make a cost-effective move. Their payroll remains high, and they’re unlikely to commit massive money to a long-term free-agent star. Ozuna, entering his age-35 season, should command a shorter-term contract, aligning perfectly with the Rangers’ roster timeline and financial strategy. They can upgrade the offense without jeopardizing long-term flexibility.
For a team looking to maximize its competitive window while shoring up its most obvious weakness, the fit couldn’t be clearer. Marcell Ozuna brings power, experience, and a proven ability to elevate an offense — exactly what the Texas Rangers need to get back into the playoff picture.