The Texas Rangers have considerable work to complete this offseason, and the approaching lockout is expected to shorten the period available for transactions.

President of baseball operations Chris Young and his staff must address weaknesses throughout most areas of the roster before MLB business potentially comes to a halt.

Adding an outfielder should be one of their primary objectives. Texas particularly needs a center fielder who can contribute offensively, although help at any outfield position would be valuable.

That need has become more urgent because Evan Carter suffered a hip injury that will force him to miss the beginning of next season.

The Rangers are expected to operate around the financial margins, leaving them with fewer realistic alternatives on the open market.

Randal Grichuk could provide the impactful right-handed hitter Texas needs when he is performing at his best.

Grichuk hit .287/.314/.566 with 15 home runs, 46 RBIs and an .880 OPS in 117 games with the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox in 2026.

He was especially effective against left-handed pitching, producing a .327/.371/.655 line in 165 at-bats.

However, Grichuk hit only .220/.216/.420 in 100 at-bats against right-handed pitchers.That significant difference means any interested team must use him selectively rather than assuming he can deliver the same production in every matchup.

Grichuk also hit .231 with a walk and a run scored in six postseason games.

Grichuk’s success against left-handed pitchers would give manager Skip Schumaker a clear way to use him. Texas could place Grichuk in the lineup when opposing teams start a left-hander and turn to another outfielder against right-handed pitching.

That type of defined role would allow the Rangers to maximize what Grichuk does well while limiting his exposure to matchups that have consistently presented more difficulty.

He could also give Texas experienced outfield coverage while Carter completes his recovery. The Rangers would not need to rush Carter back simply because the roster lacks another credible option, reducing the pressure surrounding his return.

Grichuk’s power would add another dimension to a lineup that needs more reliable offensive production.

Even without an everyday assignment, he could influence games as a starter against left-handers or as a hitter off the bench when a favorable matchup develops late.

His experience with multiple organizations should also make it easier for him to adapt to a specialized role. Grichuk would arrive knowing that his playing time depends on matchups rather than receiving assurances of a permanent starting position.

Texas must be careful with its limited resources, making role clarity and cost especially important.

Grichuk would not solve every outfield concern, but he could provide immediate coverage, power against left-handed pitching and a practical short-term answer while Carter recovers.