Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García and catcher Jonah Heim lead the list of 66 arbitration-eligible MLB players who did not receive contracts from their respective teams on Friday. These players immediately become free agents, available to sign with any organization, including those that released them. García, 32, and Heim, 30, were fundamental in the Rangers’ victory in the 2023 World Series, but recent seasons haven’t been as productive for them. García, who was the MVP of the American League Championship Series in 2023, accumulating an OPS of 1.108 in the October postseason, had two consecutive years with an OPS below .700. In 2025, he batted only .227 with 19 home runs and a salary of over $9 million. Heim batted .213 last season with 11 home runs and an OPS of .602, earning $4.57 million. Both players were eligible for salary increases through the arbitration system, but the Rangers, seeking to reduce costs, decided not to offer them contracts.
Among the players who also did not receive a contract on Friday are:
The Atlanta Braves pitcher, Alek Manoah.All other arbitration-eligible players received contracts, meaning they are tied to their teams for the 2026 season. Their salaries will be determined through negotiations between the team and the player, or, if necessary, by an arbitrator later in the offseason.
