The Texas Rangers continue reshaping the organization this offseason, adding a familiar AL West face to their infield depth chart. On Tuesday, the club finalized a minor league contract with shortstop Andrew Velazquez, bringing in a defensively strong option who will compete for a role within the system as Spring Training approaches.

Velazquez spent the 2025 season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees’ organization, where he served as a steady presence in the middle infield. Over 106 games, he posted a .242/.304/.345 slash line while contributing five home runs, 41 runs driven in, and 25 stolen bases. Though his offensive profile leans toward contact and situational hitting rather than power, his ability to create pressure on the bases remains valuable.

For Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young and his staff, the signing fits into a broader trend of bolstering organizational depth with players experienced enough to handle emergency big-league innings. Velázquez has already proven capable of managing the responsibilities of shortstop at the highest level, highlighted by his 2023 season with the Angels. That year, he played in a career-high 125 games, offering the type of stability that teams look for in a reserve infielder. While he struggled at the plate — hitting .196 with a .236 on-base percentage, his glove was never in question.

This pickup also comes at a moment when the Rangers’ middle infield picture is drawing significant attention across the league. The club has already completed one major transaction this offseason, sending Marcus Semien, a cornerstone of their 2023 World Series championship run, to the New York Mets. In addition, Corey Seager’s name has repeatedly surfaced in trade discussions as Texas evaluates long-term roster structure and payroll efficiency. With so much speculation surrounding their star shortstop, any move involving infield depth has naturally been interpreted through that lens.

Still, it’s important to note that Velazquez is not being brought in as a replacement for Seager or any other established major league starter. His role is expected to mirror that of recent years: a reliable defender who strengthens the upper levels of the system and remains ready if injuries or roster shuffling create an opportunity. For the Rangers, adding Velazquez is a cost-effective way to safeguard the organization at a premium position without committing major resources.

If Seager is ultimately moved or if the Rangers continue adjusting the roster, the signing could take on added significance. For now, though, Velazquez represents a practical depth addition during a transformative Texas offseason, one in which no move, big or small, feels entirely isolated from the club’s broader plans.

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