The case for the Texas Rangers to re-sign Andrew Heaney this offseason
The Texas Rangers will have to make some tricky decisions this winter, and role players like Andrew Heaney may end up looking for a new home.
Heaney is not a top-tier starter who can guarantee a win every five days, but his unique archetype and past experience make him an attractive piece for a club looking to contend. Whether or not Texas decides to keep the lefty may hinge on their financial situation and overall confidence in the roster.
Heaney was serviceable in 2024. The Oklahoma City native earned a 4.28 ERA across 160.2 innings. His 5-14 record was not a pretty sight, but the Rangers’ problems went well beyond Heaney’s deficiencies.
The case for the Texas Rangers to re-sign Andrew Heaney this offseason
The 33-year-old ranked in the 83rd percentile in BB% and the 86th percentile in offspeed run value. But, both this GB% and K% were below the 50th percentile. Such stats suggest that there was a level of inconsistency.
Heaney’s offspeed stuff is solid, but it would likely take greater fastball velocity for him to truly be a strikeout pitcher. There have been seasons where Heaney’s K% has been excellent, but given his average fastball clocks in at around 92.5 MPH it is not probable that he can routinely collect strikeouts at a high clip. The former 24th-round pick may have to pivot towards a “pitch to contact” approach as his career progresses.
Despite Heaney’s shortcomings, he is the sort of arm who can either start or come out of the bullpen if needed. October baseball calls for an abundance of pitching, and Heaney offers a long-relief option that could help save a bullpen.
It is also key to point out that Heaney was a part of the franchise’s first championship team in 2023. Much like conversations surrounding Nathan Eovaldi, it will be interesting to see if the front office considers this. It is particularly intriguing for Heaney given the flexibility he can provide.
Of course, Heaney’s fate may be decided by the finances in play. He might be able to net a larger contract than what Texas will offer. The Rangers are looking to retool and use all of their available funds on transformative players. While the case for Heaney is clear, he may not be the best fit for Texas currently.
