Friday marks the tender deadline in Major League Baseball. Every MLB team with arbitration-eligible players had to decide whether to tender that guy a contract or non-tender the contract.
The Texas Rangers did not decide to tender outfielder Adolis Garcia a contract before Friday’s deadline, and he will now become a free agent. The other players on the Rangers who did not receive a contract are Jonah Heim, Josh Sborz, and Jacob Webb. The team announced the decisions via their X account.
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Rangers Decide to Non-Tender Adolis Garcia
Adolis Garcia is known for his playoff heroics for the Rangers en route to a 2023 World Series Championship, which was the first in Rangers history. He won the ALCS MVP during that impressive run.
Deciding not to tender him doesn’t mean he isn’t going to return to the Rangers, but it does force the organization’s hand to reach a deal, and the reports have shown that the Rangers are trying to cut payroll for the 2026 season.
Both Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim were potential trade targets before this contract deadline, but will now be eligible for any MLB team to sign. Garcia’s projected arbitration price, according to MLBTradeRumors.com, was $12.1 million. One of the pricier arbitrations on the market this offseason.
GettyARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 24: Phil Maton #88 of the Texas Rangers shakes hands with Jonah Heim #28 following a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Field on September 24, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
For whoever does sign Garcia, he comes with a handful of accolades. He’s a two-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner, and WS Champ. Adolis Garcia had four straight seasons of 25+ home runs from 2021-2024, but regressed slightly to just 19 home runs. The 32-year-old outfielder has slashed .225/.278/.397. over the past two seasons.
It’s now apparent that the Rangers believe $12 million/ year is too pricey for Garcia, and it will be interesting to see what he demands on the open market.
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Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim’s Value & Potential Suitors
Both Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim have value, but in different ways. Garcia is a little bit less of a defender at this point in his career, and can provide an upside of 25 home runs, but will strike out a fair amount of times. Immediate teams that come to mind that could be in play for Adolis are the Mets, Giants, and Phillies.
As for Heim, he’s posted a 75 and 77 OPS+ over the past two seasons, which is far below average. In a similar scenario to Heim’s teammate, the Rangers might feel as if whoever they replace Heim with could prove to be more valuable.
In attempts to cut payroll, letting these two players walk would be the smart thing to do. Depending on what the Rangers do with both these players will tell what type of offseason they are shaping up to have.
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