Rangers Say Goodbye to Adolis García and Jonah Heim, Enter Free Agency
Big news out of Arlington: the Texas Rangers have officially decided to part ways with two major names from their 2023 World Series-winning squad. Outfielder Adolis García and catcher Jonah Heim were non-tendered ahead of Friday’s deadline, immediately making them free agents. Alongside them, right-handed relievers Josh Sborz and Jacob Webb were also let go, signaling a significant offseason shake-up for the Rangers as they look to rebuild their bullpen.
Sources report that the Rangers spent the week after the GM Meetings actively shopping both Heim and García, hoping to find trade partners. But with both players on the older side of 30 and nearing the end of their arbitration eligibility, the front office clearly leaned toward a younger, more cost-effective roster. García, 32, and Heim, 30, were both American League All-Star starters and Gold Glove winners in 2023, the year Texas captured its first World Series title. However, neither player has been able to replicate that level of production in the seasons since. Over the past two years, García posted a .675 OPS, ranking 117th out of 123 qualified hitters, while Heim hit just .602 in 924 plate appearances.
Also Read:García’s postseason heroics in 2023 remain fresh in fans’ minds. He slashed an impressive .323/.382/.726 in 15 games and delivered a walk-off home run in Game 1 of the World Series after earning ALCS MVP honors. But his offensive performance has declined significantly, and the Rangers have expressed a desire to move away from the high-risk, boom-or-bust style that defined him.
Heim, who had a breakout offensive season in 2023, has struggled both at the plate and behind the plate since then. His caught-stealing rate has dropped sharply, and his framing and throwing metrics have slipped from elite to average levels. Meanwhile, Webb, who has pitched solidly over the past few years, and Sborz, who missed the 2025 season due to shoulder surgery, were also released as the Rangers move toward reshaping their pitching staff.
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young offered a heartfelt acknowledgment: “Adolis, Jonah and Josh will always be remembered for their contributions to the first World Series title in franchise history. We are grateful for their time in Texas and the mark they have left on this franchise.”
Texas has moved quickly to fill some gaps, agreeing to a one-year deal with outfielder Sam Haggerty for 2026, while retaining a few arbitration-eligible players like Jake Burger, Josh Jung, Josh Smith, and Ezequiel Durán. The outfield depth now includes Haggerty, Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter, and Alejandro Osuna, while catching remains an area of uncertainty, with Kyle Higashioka as the lone veteran and Willie MacIver claimed off waivers to provide depth.
For García and Heim, the journey continues. Both are likely to draw interest from other teams, especially García, whose raw power and past postseason success make him an appealing one-year option for clubs in need of a big bat. As free agents, the next chapter in their careers is wide open, and the Rangers’ decision marks the end of a memorable era for fans who will always remember their pivotal roles in the 2023 championship run.
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