Jose LeClerc Landing Spots: 3 top destinations for World Series champion pitcher after his $10M Athletics stint

Jose Leclerc’s 2025 season never had the chance to get going. The Athletics signed him to a one-year, $10 million deal hoping he’d anchor the late innings, but he managed only 10 appearances before a lat issue forced him to the IL.

By July, the setback had turned into season-ending shoulder surgery, ending any hope of a late return. Even with the lost season, Leclerc still carries the kind of resume that earns second chances, a core bullpen piece during the Rangers’ 2023 World Series run, a history of late-inning poise and a fastball–changeup mix that plays when he’s right.

Teams won’t pay for 70 appearances, but they will pay for upside, especially from a reliever who has closed games on the biggest stage for the Rangers. If his recovery stays on track, these are the three clubs that make the most realistic sense for a comeback landing spot.

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#1. Tampa Bay Rays

Few teams manage injured relievers better than Tampa Bay and that alone makes the Rays the strongest match for Leclerc. They won’t rush his recovery; they’ll rebuild him slowly, monitor workload and plug him into leverage spots only when he’s physically right.

Tampa also thrives on short-term upside signings and Leclerc fits that profile too; a one-year, incentive-heavy deal for a reliever who has shown elite stretches when healthy.

Their bullpen flexibility means he wouldn’t be forced into the ninth inning immediately, but if he regains his velocity and command, the Rays would know how to maximize him without over-exposure.

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#2. New York Yankees

The Yankees are one of the few contenders willing to take chances on rehabbing veteran relievers, especially ones with postseason track records. Their bullpen has lacked a true swing-and-miss setup arm and Leclerc, when healthy, brings exactly that.

New York wouldn’t offer a heavy guarantee, but they would offer opportunity: a defined role, a strong defensive environment and the kind of high-leverage innings Leclerc has handled before.

The Yankees also love incentive-based deals, making this a clean match, minimal financial risk with the potential for a high-impact bullpen arm by midseason.

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#3. Texas Rangers

The Rangers make sense not because of nostalgia but because they understand Leclerc better than anyone. They know his pitch mix, his temperament, and the way his stuff plays when he’s right.

Texas is also in that sweet spot where bullpen help is a need, but long-term money isn’t the answer. An incentive-heavy one-year deal gives both sides flexibility while allowing Leclerc to rehab in a place he trusts.

If he returns to even 80 percent of his World Series form, the Rangers add a high-leverage option without spending premium dollars. For a win-now roster, that’s exactly the type of gamble they embrace.