Latz Cannot Do It Alone: Three Bullpen Names That Fit the Rangers' Winter Shopping List

By Hank Dalton, RF Sports Radio MLB voice

Rangers fans, claiming Jose Butto was a start. It is not a bullpen. Jacob Latz was one of the better relievers in baseball last year, and the arms around him were not. That is why Texas missed October, and that is the winter problem Chris Young still has to solve.

The facts

SI's Inside the Rangers argued this week that bullpen depth was a primary reason Texas missed the postseason in 2026, even with Latz dominating late innings. The piece floated three realistic upgrades: Padres left-hander Adrian Morejon (2.83 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 86 innings in 2026), Brewers closer Trevor Megill (2.63 ERA in 61 2/3 innings), and Diamondbacks right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga (2.43 ERA in 67 innings after years of injuries with the Yankees).

Those names sit on top of moves already made. Texas claimed Butto off waivers from San Francisco, lost Jakob Junis when he declined his mutual option, and projected Latz as the closer, per prior SI reporting carried into this week. Evan Carter's hip surgery also forced a short-term center field search, with Chris Young saying the club still believes in Carter long term but needs a backfill, per MLB.com and CBS Sports coverage earlier this week.

None of the three SI targets is a reported deal. Morejon would likely cost real money. Megill would cost prospects in a trade, following Milwaukee's pattern of moving closers a year before free agency. Loaisiga is the flyer if Texas wants upside on a shorter commitment.

Put it together and the winter checklist is clear: protect the late innings around Latz, find a short-term center fielder while Carter recovers, and do not burn the farm for one shiny name. The waiver claim of Butto showed Texas is willing to dig through the bargain bin. The next step is deciding how much actual money or prospect capital Young will spend before pitchers and catchers report.

RF Sports Radio's take (opinion)

My take: I would chase the Loaisiga-type flyer and one real swing-and-miss arm, not pretend Latz can cover eight innings by himself. Championship windows with Seager and deGrom do not wait for perfect markets.

I am cooler on paying closer money for Morejon unless the financial rules settle. Megill makes sense only if the prospect cost does not gut the farm. The smarter Rangers teams of recent years built the pen in volume. Butto was volume. Now add quality.

And do not forget center field. A bullpen of stars does not help if the outfield defense is a patchwork until Carter returns.

What to watch next

Watch the GM Meetings for any real bullpen or CF movement. For the Butto claim and Junis exit, read our Nov. 4 story on the Butto claim, and follow the winter on our MLB Playoffs page.

Radio question: if the Rangers can add only one high-leverage arm this winter, do you want Morejon, Megill, Loaisiga, or somebody else entirely?

Sources: Inside the Rangers (SI) - 3 affordable relievers Rangers should target to support Jacob Latz; Inside the Rangers (SI) - Rangers claim Jose Butto to bolster bullpen; MLB.com - Chris Young discusses Rangers' offseason plan; CBS Sports - MLB rumors: Rangers outfield pivot after Carter surgery.