The Dodgers let go of two pitchers on non-tender day, Evan Phillips and former top prospect Nick Frasso (though Phillips will almost certainly be re-signed when the 60-day IL reopens). Frasso being cut was a surprise, but otherwise the Dodgers made an expectedly underwhelming showing.
The same can’t be said for the Rangers. After reportedly trying to shop Adolis García and Jonah Heim, two key players in Texas’ 2023 World Series win, to trim payroll, the Rangers just non-tendered them altogether. They were projected to make a combined $18 million to avoid arbitration.
Though both are coming off of down years, it’s unlikely that either has much trouble finding a new team in free agency. The Dodgers, who are on the hunt for a new corner outfielder this offseason, could target García.
The Dodgers have been connected to both Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger, but they’re going to want more years than LA may be willing to give. Steven Kwan is an option via trade, but it could take an overwhelming package to pry him away from the Guardians.
García would be much cheaper than Tucker and Bellinger and a potentially high-reward bat if the Dodgers could fix him up.
Dodgers could target newly non-tendered free agent Adolis García to address outfield
The Rangers closed out their 2025 season with an exactly .500 record and have already made some big changes. They parted ways with Bruce Bochy, let go of García and Heim, and traded Marcus Semien to the Mets for Brandon Nimmo in a 1:1 trade on Sunday night after the two underwhelming seasons that have followed their World Series victory.
García still had a decently productive year despite failing to recapture his 2021-2023 glory. He accumulated 2.7 bWAR (versus 0.3 in 2024) for 28 doubles, 19 homers, and 75 RBI, and he dramatically improved his defense in right field, going from a -12 OAA in 2024 to +1 in 2025. He’s not an elite defensive player by any means, but he’s still worlds better than Teoscar Hernández.
His slow but steady regression since 2023 would make signing him a gamble, and the Dodgers were burned by a one-year deal for a corner outfielder in 2025, but they do seem concerned about blocking out their entire roster with long-term deals.
García is a World Series champion and ALCS MVP, so there are worse players to bet on for a bounce back season.
