The Texas Rangers don’t need another season of patching roster holes by forcing Josh Smith to do everything. They need real, everyday starters — players who allow Smith to be an asset, not the emergency fix for every lineup problem.
Last season, Texas relied so heavily on Smith that his true value actually dropped. Yes, he’s incredibly versatile — seven defensive positions, over 140 games for the second straight year — but versatility isn’t supposed to be punishment.
⚠️ Overuse Turned Strength into a Weakness
Bruce Bochy stretched Josh Smith too thin, and it showed. Smith started the season hot, hitting .277 in the first half, but after constantly shifting from shortstop to third base, first base, DH, and outfield, his performance collapsed to .209 after the All-Star break.
His role became chaotic — 6 to 7 different positions in one season — and that inconsistency killed his rhythm at the plate.
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In Rangers’ 81 wins: nearly .300 average, 9 HR, 24 RBI
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In 81 losses: just .207 average
This proves one thing: Josh Smith is valuable when used correctly — consistently, not desperately.
✅ The Solution: Sign Real Starters & Use Smith the Right Way
Texas cannot afford to treat Smith like duct tape. Instead of plugging every injury or slump with him, the front office should fill key positions with real, reliable starters.
Positions that must be addressed:
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First base – constant rotation in 2025
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Right field – Adolis García’s decline
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Depth behind Jonah Heim at catcher
Possible solutions:
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Trade for Jarren Duran or Nick Castellanos
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Sign free agent Kyle Schwarber
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Promote a prospect to a permanent role
With new manager Skip Schumaker, this is the time to reset. Give Smith 2–3 defensive roles max, not 6–7. Let him settle in, find rhythm, and be the high-IQ, high-energy player he was meant to be.
🎯 Bottom Line
Josh Smith is not the problem — how he’s being used is. Texas needs real starters, not band-aids. Let Smith be a weapon, not a crutch. That’s how the Rangers build a smarter, stronger, and more consistent 2026 roster.
❓ Q&A Section
Q1: Why should the Rangers stop overusing Josh Smith?
✅ Because constant position changes destroy his rhythm. Overuse lowers his batting average, confidence, and overall value.
Q2: Is Josh Smith still valuable?
✅ Yes — tremendously. But his value comes from adaptability + consistency, not being forced to cover every hole on the roster.
Q3: Which positions should the Rangers fix in free agency?
✅ First base, right field, and catcher depth. These are weak spots where Texas needs full-time, reliable starters.
Q4: Who are realistic targets for Texas?
✅ Players like Nick Castellanos, Jarren Duran, or free agent Kyle Schwarber. They bring power, stability, and take pressure off Smith.
Q5: How will this improve Josh Smith’s performance?
✅ By limiting him to 2–3 positions, giving him predictable playing time, and letting him focus at the plate instead of constantly adapting.
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