The Texas Rangers are at a crossroads. After missing the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, watching their offensive prowess crumble, and seeing the core of their 2023 World Series championship team dismantled, the franchise is in desperate need of a turnaround. But here's the burning question: Can they rise from the ashes and contend in 2026? With trade rumors swirling around stars like Jacob deGrom and Corey Seager, the pressure is on. To call 2026 a success, the Rangers must achieve these three ambitious goals—and it won’t be easy.
Goal 1: Revive the Offense to a .250+ Team Batting Average
As Skip Schumaker steps into the manager’s role, his top priority is clear: reignite the offense that once powered the Rangers to a World Series title. In 2025, the team’s batting average plummeted to .234—the fourth-worst in the MLB. And this is the part most people miss: even a modest improvement to .250 would place them above the league-wide average, a significant step forward. While still shy of their 2023 peak of .263, this benchmark is achievable—but only if Schumaker and hitting coach Justin Viele can successfully implement their new offensive philosophy, which emphasizes getting on base and stringing together hits.
Goal 2: Unleash a 30-Home Run Hitter
Here’s where it gets controversial. The Rangers’ new offensive strategy seems to prioritize contact over power, but they still boast sluggers capable of clearing the fences. Last season, Wyatt Langford and Corey Seager led the team with 22 and 21 home runs, respectively—solid numbers, but not enough to strike fear into opponents. For 2026, the Rangers need at least one player to crack the 30-home run mark. Langford, with his potential to become the team’s first 30-30 player since Ian Kinsler in 2011, is a prime candidate. Seager could also be a key figure, provided he stays healthy for at least 120 games. Other wild cards include Joc Pederson, Jake Burger, and Josh Jung, all of whom could surprise if they bounce back from recent struggles.
Goal 3: Return to the Postseason
This goal is non-negotiable. After two years on the outside looking in, the Rangers must secure a playoff berth in 2026. It’s a tall order, but history shows that once they’re in, anything can happen. Remember 2023? Despite stumbling into the playoffs, the Rangers caught fire in October, proving they’re never out of the fight. To make this happen, they’ll need Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi to maintain their elite form, Jack Leiter to finally break out, and their bullpen—a group of misfits by many accounts—to find consistency. But here’s the real question: Can this team gel in time, or will internal struggles derail their postseason dreams?
Final Thoughts and Controversy
While these goals are clear, achieving them won’t be straightforward. The Rangers’ offensive overhaul is promising, but will it sacrifice power for contact? And can their pitching staff, led by aging stars and unproven prospects, carry the load? Most controversially, is the front office willing to make the tough decisions—like trading deGrom or Seager—if progress stalls? These questions will define the Rangers’ 2026 season, and the answers could reshape the franchise’s future. What do you think? Are these goals realistic, or is the Rangers’ front office setting itself up for another disappointing year? Let us know in the comments!
