It’s going to be more of the same for the Rangers in 2027. Chris Young said yesterday the 2027 payroll will be similar to the 2026 payroll. Around $190 million, which is smack dab in the middle of the pack for the fourth-largest market. That wouldn’t be disappointing news if the Rangers didn’t have three monster salaries eating up most of that payroll in Corey Seager, Jacob deGrom, and Nathan Eovaldi. 

DeGrom will make $37 million in 2027, the last year of his contract. Eovaldi will make $24 million, also in the last year of his contract. Seager will make $31.5 million, with five more years of $31.5 million on his contract.

All three are coming off hugely disappointing seasons. All three have no-trade clauses. So, moving them will be as impossible as a Cowboy’s Super Bowl appearance. 

Of course, Young babbled the same tired, BS line he always does: “The plan is to be competitive.” Yeah, right. Just like he said in 2024, and 2025, and 2026. Fool me three times, shame on me.

Making it even more difficult is the fact that Young has less than a month to try to trade them. The lockout begins December 1. After that, teams cannot have any contact with players or their agents and the business of trading and free agency grinds to a halt. Once it ends and they come to an agreement, assuming mid-May, they will scramble to get players to a shortened spring training and to get the season started. The business of roster building will be stunted. 

It’s already difficult for Chris Young to build a competitive roster in ideal situations. Toss in all these wrinkles and the Rangers are looking at another depressing 2027. 

The good news is, deGrom’s and Eovaldi’s salaries are off the books after 2027. So, there is light at the end of the tunnel. In 2027, that light will be an incoming train.