UPDATE: In a surprising move, the Texas Rangers have non-tendered outfielder Adolis Garcia and catcher Jonah Heim, making them free agents as of November 17, 2023. This decision impacts a total of 66 MLB arbitration-eligible players who were not offered contracts, allowing them to sign with any team, including the Rangers.
The Rangers’ choice to cut ties with Garcia and Heim comes after both played crucial roles in the team’s 2023 World Series victory. Garcia, 32, was named ALCS MVP last October, boasting an impressive 1.108 OPS during the postseason. However, his performance has sharply declined, with back-to-back seasons featuring an OPS under .700. In 2025, Garcia hit just .227 with 19 home runs, while earning over $9 million.
Heim, 30, also faced challenges last season, hitting only .213 with 11 home runs and a .602 OPS, while making $4.57 million. Both players were set to receive raises through arbitration, but the cost-conscious Rangers opted not to retain them.
This decision also affects several other notable players across the league. Among those non-tendered are: Alek Manoah of the Atlanta Braves, Nathaniel Lowe of the Boston Red Sox, Reese McGuire from the Chicago Cubs, and several others, including pitchers from the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.
In a stark contrast, all other arbitration-eligible players have been tendered contracts, securing their positions with their teams for the 2026 season. Salaries for those players will be negotiated or potentially settled by arbitration later this offseason.
As the offseason progresses, eyes will be on Garcia and Heim as they navigate the free agent market. Fans and teams alike will be eager to see where these players land next, as their past performances suggest they still have much to offer.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story in the MLB offseason.
