The Texas Rangers have just rocked their offseason lineup by deciding not to tender 2026 contracts to outfielder Adolis Garcia, catcher Jonah Heim, relievers Josh Sborz, and Jacob Webb – a bold roster shake-up that could redefine their championship aspirations. But here's where it gets interesting: are they cutting ties with underperformers, or letting go of key pieces that once sparked their 2023 World Series win? Let's dive into the details and see what this means for both the team and these players.
On Friday, the Rangers made it official that they wouldn't offer arbitration contracts to these four veterans. For those new to baseball lingo, non-tendering means the team chooses not to guarantee a salary for the next season, effectively ending their control over the players. Garcia, Heim, Sborz, and Webb were all eligible for salary arbitration one last time – that's when a player and team negotiate pay based on their value, without needing a contract extension. Instead of going through that process, they'll head straight into free agency, bypassing waivers. (Waivers are like a draft where other teams can claim players if they're released.) The Rangers had been actively shopping both Garcia and Heim early in the offseason, but no trades materialized at the prices dictated by arbitration. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz estimated Garcia's salary at $12.1 million and Heim's at $6 million, with Webb at $2 million and Sborz at $1.1 million – figures that apparently didn't entice any suitors.
Adolis Garcia's spot on the roster has felt precarious for months, and this decision might come as no surprise. He was a star of the offense that propelled the Rangers to their inaugural World Series crown in 2023, slamming 39 home runs with a .245/.328/.508 slash line (that's batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage) and stellar defense in right field. That trade pickup looked like a steal, positioning him as a potential franchise cornerstone. Yet, his performance has dipped sharply in the last two years, embodying the high-risk, high-reward hitting style the Rangers have publicly indicated they want to evolve beyond. In 2024, his stats slumped to .224/.284/.400, and in 2025, he managed just .227/.271/.394. And this is the part most people miss: despite turning 33 in March, Garcia still packs a punch when he makes contact, averaging 92.1 mph exit velocity and a solid 46.7% hard-hit rate. But his chase rate (swinging at pitches outside the strike zone) has jumped from 29.5% in 2023 to 35.1% in 2025, while his overall contact rate is about five points below league average. Even on pitches in the zone, he's six points shy of average, whiffing on over one in five swings – a habit that's worsened as he's expanded his swing zone beyond his peak year. For beginners, think of it like a batter getting too aggressive at the plate, risking more strikeouts to chase extra-base hits that aren't coming.
Jonah Heim, set to turn 31 next June, had a breakout 2023 season with a .258/.317/.438 line (107 wRC+, a metric showing offense above average) and a career-high 18 homers. As a catcher already renowned for elite defensive skills, this earned him an All-Star nod. However, since the start of 2024, his hitting has dwindled to .217/.269/.334 across 924 plate appearances. His defense has also slipped: once a top-notch pitch framer and thrower, catching 29.3% of base stealers in 2023, he's now average at framing and poor at throwing, with a caught-stealing rate of just 13.7% recently. His pop time (how quickly he gets rid of the ball when throwing out runners) has slowed to over two seconds, and throw velocity to second base has dropped from 81.1 mph (21st among catchers) in 2023 to 79.5 mph (33rd) in 2025. This decline might illustrate how even star catchers can age or face wear-and-tear issues, highlighting the challenge of maintaining peak performance in a demanding position.
Josh Webb's non-tender feels a bit unexpected, given his solid contributions. At 32, he threw 66 innings with a 3.00 ERA, striking out 21.7% of batters while walking just 7.1%. Over 176 1/3 innings since 2023 with the Rangers and Orioles, he's posted a 3.22 ERA, racking up 33 holds and four saves. For context, a hold in relief pitching means preventing runs in high-leverage situations, making relievers like Webb crucial in late-game bullpens.
As for Josh Sborz, 31, he missed the entire 2025 season due to shoulder injuries, but his past shows a rollercoaster ride. In 2023, he started strong with a 3.83 ERA through mid-August before a rough end that inflated it to 5.50. Yet, he shined in the playoffs, pitching 12 scoreless innings (0.75 ERA) with just four hits and four walks, striking out 13 – earning trust from manager Bruce Bochy as a go-to reliever. The next year, he began at 3.86 ERA in 16 1/3 innings before landing on the injured list, ultimately needing shoulder surgery. The Rangers initially thought he'd miss 2-3 months of 2025, but he only managed 12 minor league innings, including a 5.79 ERA in Triple-A. This saga underscores the risks of relying on pitchers prone to injuries, as one setback can derail an entire season.
Jesse Rogers of ESPN was the first to break the news on Garcia's non-tender via Twitter. But here's where it gets controversial: is the Rangers' strategy to shed these aging or underperforming vets a smart rebuild, or a risky gamble that could weaken their lineup? Some fans might argue Garcia's power swings could still ignite a rally, while others see Heim's decline as emblematic of a team needing fresh faces. And this is the part most people miss – by letting them walk without waivers, the Rangers avoid compensation but might regret it if these guys thrive elsewhere.
What do you think – were the Rangers wise to part ways with these players, or should they have invested more to keep their World Series heroes? Do you agree that Garcia's approach is too 'boom-or-bust' for modern baseball, or is there still value in his raw power? Share your opinions in the comments – let's discuss!
