Before the 1985 season, it was announced that the Texas Rangers had traded Stein to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later, pending a physical. The Pirates later canceled the trade after team doctors discovered a "probable disc problem" in his back. Rumors then circulated that it was possible that Steins' career would be ended by the injury. However, Stein did play 44 games with the Rangers that season, batting .253 with five runs scored, 20 hits, three doubles, one triple, one home run, and 12 RBIs. He played 11 games at third base, eight games at first base, three games at second base, and three games in right field. Stein was the team's designated hitter in six games that year. In his final season in the majors, he earned a salary of $250,000 ($ inflation adjusted). At the end of the season, Texas announced that it would not re-sign Stein. Through an agent, Stein commented that if he could not play for Texas in the upcoming season, he would retire.