The Texas Rangers are making some notable moves this offseason as they aim to strengthen their pitching staff, particularly the bullpen, which performed poorly last season. After finishing 26th among major league bullpens with an ERA of 4.54, there’s no denying their need for fresh talent. To bolster this area, the organization is close to finalizing a contract for 24-year-old right-handed reliever Luis Curvelo, according to reports from Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Curvelo, who has been generating buzz as one of the more attractive free-agent options, stands out due to his exceptional performance last season. He's coming off his strongest year yet, posting impressive stats with the Seattle Mariners' Double-A affiliate, where he achieved a 2.57 ERA over 66 and two-thirds innings. His strikeout rate was particularly commendable, sitting at 30.6%.
Originally signed as an international free agent, Curvelo flew under the radar for much of his minor league career. His recent performances, especially during the second half of the season, caught the attention of scouts. After July, his numbers improved significantly; he maintained a 1.86 ERA and upped his strikeout rate to 33.6%, reflecting his continuous development as he transitioned fully to relief pitching at 18. Analysts note his slider gained praise, even when some questioned the elite quality of his fastball.
One reason the Mariners chose not to protect Curvelo was capacity issues on their 40-man roster, allowing him to become eligible for free agency. The Rangers recognized this opportunity, benefiting from having four available roster slots. They are expected to assign Curvelo to Triple-A Round Rock initially, but with aspirations of him joining the big league bullpen sometime during the 2025 season.
While the addition of Curvelo speaks to the Rangers’ proactive approach, it also reflects the larger strategy of the organization, especially under ownership concerns about luxury tax thresholds. With owner Ray Davis indicating interest in reducing payroll to below the $241 million mark, the front office led by Chris Young has to navigate their needs with financial prudence. Young's targeting of inexpensive options like Curvelo is practical—rather than building the bullpen around proven but costly major league pitchers.
The Rangers also face uncertainty with several key bullpen pieces now free agents, including veterans Kirby Yates and David Robertson, alongside José Ureña and longtime reliever José Leclerc. The exit of these players highlights not only the need for new acquisitions but also diverse approaches to reconstructing the bullpen for next season.
The 2025 season is pivotal for the Rangers, who are eager to return to competitive play after striving for improvement the previous years. Curvelo’s arrival could signify the first of several motivated acquisitions as Texas seeks to reshape its pitching resources. This means they’ll likely keep their eyes peeled for additional cost-effective relievers who may help stabilize what’s been identified as one of the team’s Achilles heels.
At the same time, Curvelo’s signing serves as part of an increased focus on minor league talent, fitting within the larger MLB narrative of teams emphasizing developing pitchers who offer substantial potential. With the Rangers already getting resources allocated to pitching development, Curvelo could emerge as part of their long-term plans as they build from the ground up.
Curvelo’s case exemplifies this new narrative of financial consciousness intertwining with scouting acumen, taking what can be seen as calculated risks on players who might otherwise go unnoticed. Though he may not be the headline-grabbing player who defined postseasons past, both the organization and fans will be watching closely to see just how high Curvelo’s upside might truly be.
Overall, the Rangers’ offseason strategy of targeting rising stars and unearthing lower-cost options reflects broader trends within baseball today. These tactical moves not only aim to improve performance but to do so within the constraints of modern financial evaluation, ensuring sustainability and competitiveness moving forward.