ARLINGTON — The Rangers are parting ways with two key members from the 2023 World Series-winning team. The club non-tendered outfielder Adolis García and catcher Jonah Heim ahead of Friday’s deadline, making them free agents.
According to sources, the Rangers spent the week following the GM Meetings shopping the two players to try to get something in return on the trade market. As Texas looks to get younger and less expensive this offseason, these moves felt like a foregone conclusion as both are on the other side of 30 and in their final year of arbitration eligibility.
Both Heim (30) and García (32) were American League All-Star starters and Gold Glove Award winners in 2023, when the Rangers won the World Series, but neither has reached those heights since then. Over the past two seasons, García’s .675 OPS ranks 117th among 123 qualified hitters. Heim was not a qualified hitter, but he posted a .602 OPS in 924 plate appearances over the past two seasons.
Additionally, Texas agreed to terms with outfielder Sam Haggerty on a one-year contract, covering the 2026 season and avoiding arbitration.
The Rangers have four remaining arbitration-eligible players: first baseman Jake Burger, third baseman Josh Jung, utilityman Josh Smith and infielder Ezequiel Duran.
The Rangers could certainly use another outfield bat now. But they are covered nicely with Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter, Alejandro Osuna and Haggerty, as well as Smith and Duran as utilitymen.
The outlook at catcher is a bit more puzzling. Kyle Higashioka is the only veteran catcher on the big league roster, though Texas claimed Willie MacIver off waivers on Nov. 4, adding to the catching depth in the organization.
But there’s no help coming from the top levels of the Minors. Malcolm Moore — the club’s No. 11 prospect, per MLB Pipeline — is the only catcher ranked in Texas’ Top 30.
