With the Texas Rangers nearing the luxury tax threshold for 2025, they’ve reportedly been in talks with other teams about potentially trading outfielder Leody Taveras. The Rangers and owner Ray Davis have expressed a strong desire to avoid surpassing the luxury tax in 2025.
Currently, FanGraphs estimates the Rangers’ payroll for Opening Day at $235 million, while the competitive balance tax threshold sits at $241 million. This leaves little room for the team to make moves during the season without exceeding the threshold. Having already paid the luxury tax in both 2023 and 2024, surpassing it again in 2025 would come with steeper penalties. To stay under the threshold and avoid the third-time repeater penalties, the Rangers may need to trade away some of their more established players.
According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers have received interest from other teams regarding Taveras. It’s unclear whether the Rangers are open to a trade or if they’ve dismissed the inquiries.
In 2024, Taveras played 151 games, hitting .229 with 12 home runs, 44 RBI, 23 stolen bases, a .641 OPS, -10 defensive runs saved, and a 0.5 WAR. His performance in 2023 was stronger, with a .266 batting average, 14 home runs, 67 RBI, and a .733 OPS. Taveras was a key player during the Rangers’ World Series run in 2023, though his postseason performance was a tale of two halves, as he started strong but struggled in the later rounds.
The 26-year-old has a career .240 average and a .664 OPS. He has averaged 13 home runs, 55 RBI, and 23 stolen bases per 162 games since debuting with the Rangers in 2020. In his second arbitration year, Taveras will earn $4.75 million in 2025, a significant increase from his $2.6 million salary in 2024, and is under team control for three more years, including this season.
Although moving Taveras’ salary wouldn’t solve all the Rangers’ financial concerns, it could provide the flexibility they need. With the addition of Joc Pederson, who will primarily serve as the designated hitter but can also play in the outfield, and with Evan Carter expected to take over in center field, Taveras may find himself as the Rangers’ fourth outfielder. If the team can offload him, it would help clear room for other moves.
However, considering that Adolis García is coming off a down year and Carter had offseason back surgery, parting with a familiar player like Taveras could be a tough decision.
Alternatively, the Rangers could explore trading starting pitchers Tyler Mahle or Jon Gray. Mahle is slated to make $16.5 million in 2025, while Gray is set to earn $13 million.
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