Rangers Non-Tender Garcia, Heim

An End of an Era: Texas Rangers Part Ways with Star Players

In a stunning move that signals the dismantling of their 2023 World Series championship roster, the Texas Rangers have announced they will not tender contracts to outfielder Adolis Garcia, catcher Jonah Heim, and relievers Josh Sborz and Jacob Webb. All four arbitration-eligible players will become free agents immediately after being non-tendered ahead of the November 15 deadline.

Adolis Garcia: From ALCS Hero to Free Agent

Once the heart of the Rangers' championship run, Adolis Garcia's tenure in Texas has come to an abrupt end. The 33-year-old slugger delivered one of the most iconic postseason performances in franchise history during the 2023 ALCS, earning MVP honors by driving in a record 15 runs against the Houston Astros. His 39 home runs and .508 slugging percentage that season made him a fan favorite.

However, Garcia's production declined dramatically in the subsequent seasons. After signing a two-year, $14 million extension following the title, his batting average fell to .225 with just 22 home runs and 80 RBIs combined in 2024-25. His strikeout tendencies worsened, with his chase rate on pitches outside the zone increasing from 29.5% in 2023 to 35.1% in 2025. Despite maintaining elite exit velocity (92.1 mph average), his offensive approach no longer aligned with the Rangers' changing philosophy.

Jonah Heim: All-Star Catcher's Sharp Decline

Catcher Jonah Heim's departure marks another significant loss from the championship core. The two-time All-Star and 2023 Gold Glove winner enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, hitting .258 with 18 home runs while anchoring one of baseball's best defensive catching units. His 29.3% caught-stealing rate ranked among the league's elite.

Since then, Heim's performance collapsed. Over the past two seasons, he batted just .217 with 12 home runs and 51 RBIs. His defensive metrics also plummeted—his caught-stealing rate fell to 13.7%, and his average throw velocity decreased from 81.1 mph to 79.5 mph. The Rangers, who had been actively shopping both players throughout the offseason, clearly found no trade partners willing to meet their arbitration projections of $12.1 million for Garcia and $6 million for Heim.

Relievers Josh Sborz and Jacob Webb Also Depart

The bullpen saw two key figures depart as well. Reliever Josh Sborz, who hadn't pitched in 2025 due to shoulder surgery after appearing in just 12 minor league innings (5.79 ERA), was non-tendered. Meanwhile, Jacob Webb—a consistent performer with a 3.22 ERA over 176 innings since 2023—was also let go despite a solid 2025 campaign.

What's Next for the Rangers and Departing Stars?

President of Baseball Operations Chris Young continues his roster overhaul, prioritizing younger, more disciplined hitters. The Rangers also agreed to a one-year contract with outfielder Sam Haggerty, avoiding arbitration.

For Garcia and Heim, free agency awaits. Despite their recent struggles, Garcia's power potential and postseason pedigree could still attract offers in the $8-10 million range. Heim may need to prove his worth on a shorter deal, but his 2023 All-Star credentials remain valuable. Both players depart with their 2023 championship legacies intact but face significant questions about their future in the league.

"He's still put up decent HR & RBI totals, but the argument for tendering him a 12 million dollar contract is a purely emotional one."

— Fan reaction on MLB Trade Rumors