MLB Non-Tender Decisions See Rangers Decline Options on โขAdolis Garcรญa, Jonah Heim
In a surprising move signaling potential โคroster adjustments, the Texasโข Rangers โฃdeclined to tender contracts to outfielder Adolis Garcรญa and catcher โJonah Heim onโ Friday, making both players free agents. The decisions avoid arbitration salaries for โฃthe 2024 season but represent a significant shift โfor key contributors โคtoโฃ the Rangers’ recent World Series championship team.
Non-tender decisions occur when teams choose not to offerโ arbitration-eligible players a contract by a league-mandated deadline. This allows teams to avoid potentially costly arbitration awards,but also means the players become instantlyโข available to sign with โany club. For the Rangers, the moves create roster โflexibility and financial space as they navigate the offseason, though they also relinquishโข control of two players who were integral to their postseason success.
Beyond the rangers, several other teams also made non-tender announcements. Theโค Los Angeles Dodgers non-tendered reliever Evan phillips, currently recovering from โฃjune Tommy John surgery. The Pittsburgh Pirates released outfielders Alexander Canario and Ronny Simon,โ along withโ right-handers Colin Holderman and Dauri Moreta. San Francisco Giants left-hander Joey Lucchesi,who posted a 3.76 ERA in 38 innings, was also non-tendered, as were Cincinnati Reds โcatcher โWill Banfield and right-handers Roddery Munoz and Carson Spiers.
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Will Brennan, recovering from Tommy John surgery,โ and reliever Sam Hentges were alsoโฃ released. St.โข Louis Cardinals left-hander John King, right-hander โSem Robberse, and catcher Yohel Pozo were non-tendered, alongside Kansas City Royals outfielder MJ Melendez โค(five hits in 60 at-bats) and reliever Taylor Clarke (3.25 ERA in 51 appearances). Veteran outfielder Mike Tauchman was released by โขthe Chicago White โSox, whileโ Baltimore Orioles swingman Albert Suรกrez, sidelined by aโค shoulder injury, was also non-tendered. The Los Angeles Angels released outfielder Gustavo Campero and catcher โคSebastian Rivero,and the New york Yankees non-tendered right-handed relievers mark Leiter Jr., Jake Cousins, Scott effross, Ianโ Hamilton, and โฃMichael Arias.
