3 Texas Rangers Who Won't Be Back in 2026
It was a disappointing 2025 season for the Texas Rangers, who were hoping to bounce back after an equally disheartening 2024 follow-up to their '23 World Series title. They flirted with a possible playoff run at times late in the season, but ultimately fell short, finishing at .500, 81-81.
Changes are ahead for the Rangers, and that's already started at the top, with manager Bruce Bochy biting the dust. On the players' side of the ledger, more adjustments will be required.
Here are 3 Texas Rangers who shouldn't be back in 2026.
Adolis Garcia, OF
A bad start turned into a horrid finish for Garcia, who had his worst season since becoming a Rangers regular in the outfield five seasons ago. The slugger launched 97 home runs in his first three full years, and 298 RBIs. He secured two All-Star berths in those three seasons as well.
But his average and OPS dipped to unwieldy numbers the past two seasons, finishing at .227 with a .665 OPS in 2025, with just 19 homers. He only played 11 games in the final month due to injuries, and batted just .086 with a .329 OPS.
He has one year left of arbitration eligibility, but it might be time for a fresh start elsewhere.
Merrill Kelly, SP
It seemed like a nice acquisition at the trade deadline to bolster the starting rotation with former Arizona Diamondbacks righty Merrill Kelly. But the free agent to be did not overly impress in his short time in Texas, posting a so-so 4.23 ERA in 10 starts, over a full run higher than he has posted in two of the previous three seasons, and what he had done for the Snakes in 22 starts this season as well.
He heads now to the open market, and there's really no reason for the Rangers to go after him in free agency. Kelly will be 37 this month, and with two 35+ year olds already at the top of their rotation (Jacob deGrom and Nate Eovaldi), they shouldn't be spending more on another older arm.
Jonah Heim, C
Although top-notch offense is not usually expected from a catcher, Heim seemed to buck the trend after a terrific 2023, when he had 18 homers and 95 RBIs as a key part of that World Series-winning team. But like Adolis Garcia, his numbers have fallen off a cliff in each of the last two seasons. This year, Heim managed only a .213 average and his second straight year of a .602 OPS, with just 11 homers.
With one more year of team control, the Rangers might decide to move on.
