Rangers Non-Tender Adolis Garcia in Biggest MLB Non-Tenders of 2025

Two years after their first-ever World Series title, the Texas Rangers have stunned fans with a major roster shake-up. They non-tendered several key players, most notably outfielder Adolis García and catcher Jonah Heim.

Both guys were postseason heroes not long ago. In 2025, though, their performance fell off a cliff, and Texas decided to let them walk as free agents instead of paying their expected arbitration salaries.

This move is just one part of a bigger wave of MLB non-tenders that’s shaking up rosters everywhere. Teams are already bracing for a wild offseason.

Texas Rangers’ Postseason Legends Depart

García and Heim, who delivered unforgettable October moments less than two years ago, now have to look for new teams. García took home the 2023 ALCS MVP award after a legendary playoff run, blasting 39 home runs and posting a .872 OPS that season.

But by 2025, he batted only .227 with 19 homers. It’s a pretty steep drop.

Heim’s numbers weren’t any prettier. The 2023 All-Star catcher hit just .213 with a .602 OPS in 2025.

García was projected to earn $12.1 million and Heim $6 million in arbitration. The Rangers, hoping for steadier production, chose to move on rather than commit to those salaries.

Relief Pitchers Also Cut

Texas didn’t stop there. They also dropped two notable arms from the bullpen.

Reliever Josh Sborz, a big part of the 2023 postseason run, missed most of 2025 with shoulder problems. Jacob Webb was let go too.

It sure looks like Texas wants a full bullpen refresh for spring training.

League-Wide Non-Tender Activity

The Rangers aren’t the only ones making tough calls. This year’s non-tender deadline sparked changes all over Major League Baseball.

Teams across both leagues have let go of players because of declining performance, injuries, or projected salaries that just don’t make sense anymore.

Some of the notable moves:

• Detroit Tigers: Cut utility infielder Andy Ibanez.
• Los Angeles Dodgers: Released injured reliever Evan Phillips.
• Pittsburgh Pirates: Parted with outfielder Alexander Canario, infielder Ronny Simon, reliever Colin Holderman, and pitcher Dauri Moreta.
• San Francisco Giants: Released left-hander Joey Lucchesi.
• Cincinnati Reds: Let go of catcher Will Banfield and right-handers Roddery Munoz and Carson Spiers.
• Cleveland Guardians: Cut outfielder Will Brennan, who’s recovering from Tommy John surgery, and reliever Sam Hentges.
• St. Louis Cardinals: Moved on from pitchers John King and Sem Robberse, plus catcher Yohel Pozo.
• Kansas City Royals: Released slugger MJ Melendez and reliever Taylor Clarke.
• New York Yankees: Pulled off the biggest bullpen purge, non-tendering five right-handed relievers—Mark Leiter Jr., Jake Cousins, Scott Effross, Ian Hamilton, and Michael Arias.

Why These Moves Happen

The MLB non-tender deadline always brings a wave of roster changes right before the winter meetings. Teams have to weigh expected arbitration salaries against what players actually bring to the field, plus injury history and future upside.

If the numbers don’t work, even fan favorites like García and Heim can get cut. It’s a harsh system, but it does open the door for other teams to scoop up proven talent without losing prospects or draft picks.

The Offseason Impact

For Texas, these cuts are about more than just performance. Non-tendering García and Heim frees up nearly $20 million, giving the Rangers the flexibility to fix weaknesses through free agency or trades.

For fans, though, it stings. Favorites are gone, and nobody really knows how the team will fill those gaps—at the plate or in the clubhouse.

All these non-tenders mean a flood of experienced players will hit the market, making this offseason even more interesting. Some will bounce back in new homes, but others could struggle to land another big league shot, especially with so many younger, cheaper options popping up everywhere.

Looking Ahead

Baseball history is full of players who thrived after a non-tender exit. García’s postseason heroics are etched in Rangers lore.

Heim played a pivotal role in their championship defense behind the plate. Now, both get a shot to find their form somewhere new.

The free agent pool just got a lot bigger after the non-tender deadline. In the coming weeks, expect some aggressive moves—maybe even a surprise or two.

Teams craving experienced talent, especially those with a taste of recent playoff success, will keep a close eye on names like García and Heim as the hot stove heats up.

 
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