As MLB’s offseason rolls on, one of the most pivotal moments on the calendar arrives this Friday: the non-tender deadline. It’s the day teams make the call on whether to offer contracts to their arbitration-eligible players – or let them walk into free agency. And for the defending champion Texas Rangers, some tough decisions are looming, especially when it comes to a pair of players who were key contributors to their 2023 World Series run.

Adolis García and Jonah Heim, two names etched into Rangers postseason lore, are now facing uncertain futures in Arlington. While it may come as a surprise to casual fans, those following the Rangers closely have seen this coming. The writing’s been on the wall for some time, and all signs point to both players being non-tendered by Friday’s deadline.

Let’s start with García. The slugging outfielder was a postseason hero in 2023, delivering clutch hit after clutch hit and becoming a fan favorite in the process.

But injuries and inconsistency have clouded his value since then, and with arbitration likely to bring a significant salary jump, the Rangers appear ready to move on. The same goes for Heim, whose defensive prowess behind the plate and timely hitting were instrumental in that title run.

But again, the cost-benefit equation in arbitration may not work in his favor, especially with Texas looking to retool and manage payroll flexibility.

Beyond those two, the Rangers have a handful of other arbitration-eligible players: Josh Jung, Jake Burger, Josh Smith, Ezequiel Duran, Josh Sborz, and Jacob Webb. Jung and Burger are expected to be safe – both are seen as part of the club’s core moving forward.

But Duran, Sborz, and Webb are on shakier ground. Duran’s versatility and offensive upside have shown flashes, but he’s struggled to find a consistent role.

Sborz, a bullpen arm with postseason experience, has battled injuries and inconsistency. Webb, acquired more recently, hasn’t quite locked down a spot either.

All three are strong candidates to be non-tendered.

This week’s non-tender deadline also comes on the heels of Tuesday’s 40-man roster deadline – the day when teams must protect eligible prospects from the Rule 5 Draft. That’s where front offices have to weigh upside and readiness, deciding which young talents are worth shielding from other clubs. For the Rangers, it’s all part of a broader strategy: balancing short-term competitiveness with long-term sustainability.

The decisions made this week will shape the Rangers’ roster heading into 2026 and beyond. Letting go of postseason heroes is never easy, but it’s the kind of calculated risk that contenders have to make. Texas isn’t standing still – they’re looking ahead, and Friday’s deadline will be a major step in defining what that future looks like.