ARLINGTON -- Danny Jansen has played for four teams over the last two seasons.
After spending the first seven years of his big league career in Toronto, Jansen spent time with the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Rays and Brewers between 2024-25. That made getting a two-year deal -- with a mutual option for 2028 -- that much more exciting.
“Obviously, [changing teams so much] had its challenges,” Jansen said on Zoom with reporters on Wednesday. “Going somewhere new, especially as a catcher, is difficult. But I think having gone through that, going to a new team, and having to learn guys when I was traded right away and really fast, it's going to help me along the way. It's definitely an exciting feeling to be settled in a little bit as well.”
And he’s right. Having moved around so much over the last few years likely sets him up for success coming into 2026, when he’ll have ample time during Spring Training to acclimate himself with a Rangers pitching staff that was one of the best in baseball in ’25.
“He's been traded the last couple years because he's been a very desirable player,” said president of baseball operations Chris Young. “Catching is probably the hardest position to move at the Deadline, because it requires a player familiarizing himself with 13-plus pitchers on a staff. But Danny has an unbelievable reputation as a winning person and a great teammate, so I think he'll make a natural transition into our group and be an additive to our clubhouse.”
The Rangers have needed another catcher alongside veteran Kyle Higashioka since Jonah Heim was non-tendered last month, and Jansen was a perfect fit, especially with top free-agent backstop J.T. Realmuto likely commanding a much more expensive deal.
Jansen’s .720 OPS in 2025 was better than any catcher the Rangers have had over the past two seasons, and though his pitch-framing and control of the running game isn’t elite, he is one of the best blocking catchers in baseball. He recorded 14 blocks above average in 2025, second best in the big leagues. His 72 blocks above average since the start of 2019 are unsurpassed.
“Again, I think he's a great fit for our team,” Young said. “We knew we needed to try to upgrade that position and find somebody that would complement Higgy. We think he's the perfect fit from a person, from a leader, his relationships with his pitchers, just the winning personality that he brings. We think that it'll really be a good boost to our group.”
Jansen and Higashioka -- both into their 30’s -- will likely be a near 50-50 split behind the plate. Jansen hasn’t cleared the 100-game mark since 2019 (107 games), because of seven trips to the injured list since the start of 2021. But he played 98 games between the Rays and Brewers in ’25. Higashioka played 94 games last season.
Both are right-handed hitters, so it won’t be a straight-up platoon, but Jansen more than solidifies the catching group going into 2026.
“I think it's just a winning atmosphere,” Jansen said. “It's an exciting and competitive team. The opportunity to come and join that and to be a part of that is really big for me. I've always enjoyed going to play at that stadium. It's a beautiful park, and I've had a great experience just as a visitor. To be a part of a winning atmosphere and a clubhouse with great dudes is key.”
On top of Jansen, the Rangers have also filled out the catching depth at the top of the system with the Minor League signing of José Herrera and waiver claim of Willie MacIver.
“We will always be open-minded,” Young said of adding more catching depth. “But we do feel really good. I think our group has done a tremendous job of building out the depth of catching in Triple-A, and these guys could be in the big leagues, too. It's conceivable that we would carry three catchers at certain points, if they're the right fit. It was an area of need in our organization. We, developmentally, just haven't gotten the players to the big leagues at this position. It was a focal point for us this offseason. We feel like it will be a huge boost.”