Texas Rangers head into winter with more questions than answers after back-to-back playoff misses. The offense regressed again, and the club plans to reshape the roster via free agency and trades, even as payroll is expected to dip below the $244 million tax threshold.

Nearly a third of the roster could hit free agency, with Joc Pederson and nine others in that bubble. Arbitration-eligible stars Adolis García, Jonah Heim, Jacob Webb, Josh Sborz, and Sam Haggerty loom, while core pieces DeGrom, Seager, Semien, Eovaldi, and Higashioka are locked long term. The pre arbitration group includes Jung, Burger and Leiter, shaping fantasy value for 2025.

Corey Seager is in recovery after an appendectomy, with no clear return date yet. He remains hopeful to come back this season, but the Rangers’ playoff position could shape when he reenters the lineup. He studied a wide range of recovery timelines, finding nothing definitive and choosing not to rush the process. His absence would leave a big hole in Texas’ order as they push for a postseason run.

Texas’ update also ties to Adolis García’s setback and hints at Jon Gray’s uncertain future with the club, underscoring a pivotal stretch against Houston. Fantasy managers should track Seager’s progress closely, as his return could swing lineup stability and run production for the Rangers in a critical late-season period.

Rangers-Astros clash hinges on rotation choices and recent trends. Houston rested Framber Valdez this weekend after Arrighetti’s elbow issue shuffled the schedule, with Hunter Brown on Saturday and Luis García on Sunday. Texas, while poor against lefties (14-22 this season), just won four straight behind lefty starters entering Friday. Adolis García is sidelined, Jon Gray’s Texas tenure may be ending, and a Triple-A call-up is backfill to García’s absence.

Jon Gray’s season appears finished after doctors diagnosed arterial thoracic outlet syndrome in his right arm. The condition typically requires rib-removal surgery with a nine-to-12 month recovery, likely sidelining him through most of 2026 and fueling retirement chatter. At 34 in November, he enters free agency under a cloud of injury and uncertainty that clouds his baseball future.

Gray has battled injuries throughout four Texas seasons and has only one season with 130+ innings. With a potential labor-deal backdrop complicating a return, fantasy players should weigh the upside of a possible late comeback against the risk of another long absence and diminished durability.