The clock is ticking for the Texas Rangers to secure a long-term extension with Wyatt Langford, the young talent who's quickly becoming a cornerstone of the franchise. The team's recent actions and statements hint at a potential deal, but the question remains: will they act fast enough?
Surprise, Arizona! The Rangers are high on Wyatt Langford, seeing him as the eventual face of the franchise. This is evident from their media guide's cover, featuring Langford alongside established stars like Corey Seager, Jacob deGrom, and Nathan Eovaldi. Just a year ago, the cover included Marcus Semien, Adolis Garcia, and Josh Jung, signaling a subtle shift in the team's perception of its future leaders.
New manager Skip Schumaker, who watched Matt Holliday for a decade, believes Langford will one day win an MVP award. His confidence has only grown as the spring camp progressed. On Tuesday, Schumaker is expected to lineup Langford for the first time, having already witnessed his leadership qualities over almost 10 days.
"He’s a really good player who has leadership qualities; he’s learning a lot from [Seager]. And I think he can grow into whatever you want him to grow into," Schumaker said.
The Rangers' actions speak louder than words. They need to act like Langford is the face of the franchise, which means offering a substantial contract. Since 2017, they haven't signed a young homegrown player to a multi-year deal, despite the success of Rougned Odor. The team's recent frugality with free agents' contracts suggests they might be hesitant to commit to a long-term extension with Langford.
Langford, 24, seems unfazed by the contract discussions. He's open to the idea but also confident in his abilities, stating, "I like being in Texas... I definitely would be open to it. There’s no rush to do anything."
The pressure is on the Rangers to act soon. Langford's free agency status extends until 2029, but the team's performance and collective bargaining talks could accelerate this timeline. The owners might offer free agency after five years in exchange for a salary cap, which could work against Langford. Chris Young, the president of baseball operations, is a strong supporter of Langford but remains tight-lipped about contract negotiations.
The Rangers' dilemma is clear. Last year, Jackson Merrill signed a nine-year, $135 million deal, setting the benchmark for extensions. Langford's performance, as measured by WAR, rivals that of Merrill and Corbin Carroll. With a higher WAR than any other outfielder under 25 over the last two years, Langford's value is undeniable. However, the cost of a long-term deal is significant, and the Rangers must decide if they're willing to invest in their future.
The Rangers' recent trades and hiring of Schumaker signal a new era. With Corey Seager as the best player, the team is transitioning from Semien's era. Langford is central to this change, but the risk of trading him looms. The Rangers must act now to secure their future, or risk losing their rising star.
