The glory of winning is now an old saying.
The Texas Rangers announced on the 22nd (Korea Standard Time) that they will release right-handers Josh Sboz and Jacob Young, catcher Jonah Heim, and outfielder Adolis Garcia as non-tenders.
Garcia, who has five years and 95 days of service, was scheduled to have his final salary adjustment opportunity this time. When his team Texas gave up, he became an FA.
사진 확대 Adolis Garcia was the leading player in the 2023 Texas World Series. 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
Garcia is a veteran hitter with one-time Gold Glove and two-time All-Star experience. In particular, he contributed to the team’s World Series victory in 2023.
He went 10 for 28 with five homers and 15 RBIs in the championship series against the Houston Astros, and hit a walk-off home run in Game 1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series. Despite playing only three games due to injury, Texas was able to win the series with a 4-1 record thanks to his home run.
However, despite steadily gaining opportunities as the main right fielder for the next two years, he hit only 0.225 OPS of 0.675 and eventually became the subject of liquidation.
Haim is a similar case. He was selected as an All-Star and Gold Glove in 2023 and played as the team’s main catcher, but he hit only 0.217 OPS 0.602 in the last two seasons. This, too, was the last salary adjustment.
사진 확대 Heim and Sboz collaborated for the final out of the 2023 World Series. 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
MLB.com said Texas looked into the trade between the two players over the past week, but did not recognize the team and eventually decided to release them.
Svoz is also a player who contributed to the team’s victory in 2023. In that year, he pitched 12 postseason innings and allowed only one run. He also caught the last out in Game 5 of the World Series. In 2025, he failed to throw due to the aftermath of shoulder surgery.
Chris Young, president of baseball’s destiny division, said, “Whatever happens in the future, Adolis, Jonah and Josh will always be remembered as the first winners in the club’s history. These memories will be remembered forever in the back of the hearts of Rangers fans. We are grateful for the footprint they left for our club during their time in Texas.”
Through this release, Texas clearly showed that it has turned to cutting its total salary this offseason.
They have completed salary negotiations with outfielder Sam Hagerty for the 2026 season and will work on salary negotiations with first baseman Jake Berger, third baseman Josh Young, utility Josh Smith and infielder Ezekiel Duran.
[KIM JAE HO, MK Sports Reporter]