Payroll Flexibility Will Shape Rangers' Offseason

Texas enters the offseason with roughly $115.5 million in veteran cash commitments, about $38.3 million in projected arbitration salaries, and obligations that could approach $171.1 million before additions. Pederson's mutual option, Higashioka's option, arbitration cases, Seager's $31 million 2027 salary, deGrom's $37 million final year, and the expiring CBA complicate decisions; options coverage involving Rasmussen and Estévez remains hypothetical.