Rangers: Adolis García and Heim among those not renewed in MLB

Rangers Let Go of Adolis García and Jonah Heim

Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García and catcher Jonah Heim headline the list of 66 MLB arbitration-eligible players who did not receive contracts from their respective teams on Friday. These players immediately become free agents, available to sign with any team, including those that let them go. García and Heim were fundamental in the Rangers’ victory in the 2023 World Series, but the last seasons have not been so productive. García, Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series in 2023, had an OPS of 1.108 in the October postseason, but then had two consecutive years with an OPS below .700. In 2025, he batted .227 with 19 home runs and earned more than $9 million in salary. Heim batted .213 last season with 11 home runs and an OPS of .602, earning $4.57 million. Both players were eligible for raises through the arbitration system, but the Rangers, seeking to cut costs, declined to offer them contracts. Rangers right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz also became a free agent on Friday after not receiving a contract offer for 2026.

“Regardless of what happens in the future, Adolis, Jonah, and Josh will always be remembered for their contributions to the first World Series title in franchise history,” Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said in a statement.

Chris Young

Among the players who were also released on Friday are: Atlanta Braves pitcher Alek Manoah; Boston Red Sox infielder Nathaniel Lowe; Chicago Cubs catcher Reese McGuire; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Carson Spiers; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Sam Hentges; Chicago White Sox outfielder Mike Tauchman; Detroit Tigers reliever Jason Foley, and infielder Andy Ibanez; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips; New York Yankees pitchers Mark Leiter Jr., Scott Effross, and Ian Hamilton; Seattle Mariners pitcher Gregory Santos; San Francisco Giants catcher Andrew Knizner; and Tampa Bay Rays infielder Christopher Morel. All other arbitration-eligible players received contracts, meaning they are bound to their teams for the 2026 season. Their salaries will be determined through negotiation between the team and the player or, if necessary, by an arbitrator later in the offseason. The deadline marked the last time a team could let go of an arbitration-eligible player without committing to at least 30 days of termination pay if the player is released.