The Texas Rangers have reportedly agreed to a two‑year minor league contract with right-handed reliever Declan Cronin. This move suggests the team is betting on potential long‑term upside, rather than any immediate contribution at the big league level.
Cronin is expected to miss the entire 2026 season, as he recently underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of September. The Rangers appear to be taking a longer view, hoping that once he recovers, he might factor into their bullpen plans in 2027.
Prior to this deal, Cronin had been released by the Miami Marlins. In 2024, he saw some major league action with the Marlins, posting a 4.35 ERA with solid strikeout and walk rates, and generating grounders at a healthy rate (about 58 %). However, his 2025 campaign was derailed by injuries, including hip and elbow troubles, which ultimately led to the surgery.
At Triple-A in 2025 before his surgery, Cronin compiled a 4.91 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP over 22 innings. Those numbers don’t leap off the page, but given his arm injury and recovery prospects, the Rangers seem to be treating this as a reclamation project.
Another interesting subplot is that this move reunites Cronin with Skip Schumaker, who will be the new manager in Texas next season. Schumaker’s familiarity with Cronin could help in his rehab and reintegration into the organization’s pitching plans.
Under the terms of the contract, Cronin still has options remaining, which gives the Rangers flexibility once he’s healthy to assign him within their system without risking loss via waivers. He also has just over one year of MLB service time.
For the Rangers, this signing adds to their pipeline depth of pitching. With a number of bullpen arms already under contract and others in the minor league system, the Cronin deal represents a lower‑risk, higher-reward transaction. If he returns close to form, the club could have a useful bullpen piece in 2027; if not, the downside is limited since the risk is contained to the minor league contract.
