What are the odds that Shohei Ohtani "Comes to Texas" and plays for the Texas Rangers

This may be a stupid question. A talent like Ohtani will fit on any roster. Some roster modifications have to be made to truly incorporate a two-way talent into both the rotation and the lineup. The Rangers have to build a five-man rotation and then add Ohtani as the sixth man. They have to keep open the designated hitter spot, because Ohtani does not play in the field. Lets examine both of those situations separately.

The Texas Rangers rotation heading into 2024 currently will have Max Scherzer, Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, and Dane Dunning. Andrew Heaney has a chance to opt-out if he would like, Martin Perez is a free agent and not likely to be brought back. If Heaney opts in then he is your fifth starter. If he does not then they would have to sign a free agent or entrust Cody Bradford with that fifth spot. Then Ohtani starts once a week. That is a good rotation that will win a lot of games. Remember, that there is a chance that deGrom is able to rehab and rejoin the rotation in August or September of 2024.

The lineup is somewhat easier. Mitch Garver, Robbie Grossman, and Brad Miller will all be free agents this off-season. The DH role is open for 2024 and the Rangers could easily slide Ohtani into that role. The one negative is that Ohtani will take over the DH role every day. That means that no DH days for Corey Seager, Adolis Garcia, or Jonah Heim unless Ohtani is sitting out that day. The negative of having DH tied up also has been to be taken with the knowledge that Ohtani is the best DH in baseball.

Ohtani will require some roster manipulation, but at the end of the day it is all worth it as he is among the best pitchers in baseball and one of the best hitters in baseball. If Texas can add him to both they will win a lot of games and be World Series contenders for the next several seasons.