So.. 2026? — Rangerfans.com

Well, as I write this on the 22nd of September, the Rangers have lost 7 in a row. There’s apparently an ungodly tiny path left for playoffs (cue the Jim Mora clip), so with the season limping to a finish, it’s time to turn one’s mind towards 2026. I wanted to take a look at the 2025 Rangers and give my thoughts as to what I think will happen.

Is this going to be totally accurate? Of course not. It’s just my personal thoughts. I’m nowhere near as on top of some things as others who write about the Rangers (Hey Jamey Newberg), but I do watch a lot of Rangers baseball, and like any other sports fan, I have opinions. Basically what I’m doing is going over every single player that’s played for the Rangers in 2025, and give my thoughts as to what I think will happen next year with them. I’m saying something about every player that has played at least one game in the majors in 2025. Guys who have spent the entire time in the minors or are too young to come up are not what I’m doing here – this is solely for guys who have been in the majors this year.

As a point of reference, the MLB minimum wage in 2025 is $760,000. In 2026, it will be $780,000.

Having said that I want to start with the one non player on the list….

Manager

Bruce Bochy – Bochy’s three year contract expires after the 2025 season. He won the World Series in 2023 in his first year, and became an immediate franchise legend because of that. He’s 70 at the moment, and while not OLD old, he’s been around the block a few times. He’s also the one person on this list I have zero idea what will happen. I’ve gone back and forth over Bochy all season. Will he stay or will he retire again? I truly think only he knows. I’d be surprised if CY and he have discussed this, they’ll probably wait till the season is actually over to talk about it. I really think it’s a 50/50 shot – it will 100% come down to what Bochy himself wants to do. I will say this, if he does re-sign, I’d expect him to sign a series of one year contracts, a concession to his age. If he stays, he’ll turn 71 next April.

Locks

These guys are absolute guarantees to be here next year because they’re already signed. As such, I won’t spend a ton of time on them, just laying out what their contract status is. If there is a work stoppage for the 2027 season (which appears likely), it’s unknown how it will affect these guys.

Jacob DeGrom – signed through 2027 with a conditional option for 28. I believe the 28 option has been met due to DeGrom’s TJ surgery, but not positive. Remaining salary (25:$40M, 26:$38M, 27:$37M, 28: ??)
Corey Seager – signed through 2031. Remaining Salary (26-31:$31M annually)
Marcus Semien – signed through 2028. Remaining Salary (26-27:$26M annually, 28:$20M)
Nathan Eovaldi – signed through 2027. Remaining Salary (26:$25M, 27:$20M)
Joc Pederson – Signed through 2027 with mutual option for 2028. Remaining Salary (26:$18.5M – the 27 option is also $18.5m)
Kyle Higashioka – Signed through 2026 w/2027 mutual option. Remaining Salary (26:$6.75M, 27:$7M option ($1M buyout))

Free Agents

These are guys whose contracts are up after the 2025 season, and if they were coming back, they’d need a new deal.

Jon Gray – Not only won’t he be back, he’s likely to retire due to the injury problems he had this year.
Chris Martin – My gut says he won’t be back in 2026, and we’ll move on after an inconsistent season. He’ll also be 40 during the next season. He had a $5.5m salary in 2025.
Hoby Milner – I would bring him back next year. He had a $2.5M salary in 2025. Plus his “walkup music” is “The Spirit of Radio” by Rush, so I like him just for that. haha. :)
Shawn Armstrong – I’m on the fence, I wouldn’t be upset if he came back, and I wouldn’t be upset if we let him go. My gut says we probably bring him back. He had $1.25m salary in 2025.
Patrick Corbin – He was a major surprise. I remember when we signed him, I thought “WTF are we doing?”, and while he wasn’t lights out, he was a good solid serviceable starting pitcher. He had a $1.1m salary in 2025 (plus made a couple hundred extra k in incentives). I could see them taking a crack at him again next year depending on what else we do in the rotation in the off season.
Danny Coulombe – We traded for him (with Twins) on Jul 31. My guess is he’s not back – feels like the 2025 version of Andrew Chafin. He had a $3m salary in 2025 (not all of which we paid).
Rowdy Tellez – We signed him as a free agent on 5 Jul after he was released by the Mariners. 2026 is his first year of full free agency. He’s got a lot of pop, and is a fun guy to have around. I could see them bringing him back, but not an early sign – one of those “bring them back later if nothing better presents itself” kind of moves. He made $1.5m in 2025 (not all from us).
Phil Maton – We got him via trade with the Cardinals on 31 Jul for a couple of minor leaguers. He’s been “ok” since, but my guess is we don’t bring him back next year. Not really sure. He had a $2m salary in 2025.
Tyler Mahle – He signed a 2 year deal with us after the 2023 season, and then spent nearly all of 2024 on the DL. He opened with us in 2025 and was pitching well until he got hurt again. Came back in late September, and looked as good as he was before. His salary in 2024 was $5.5m and was $16.5m in 2025. I could easily see them bring him back again next year, as when he was on the mound he’s been quite good.
Dylan Moore – A long time Mariner who got traded to Texas in mid August. 2025 was the last year of a 3 year deal he signed with Seattle (23:$2M, 24:$3.05M, 25:$3.575M). My guess is we do not bring him back, this was more of a “need at the time” player in 2025. Has played 15 games with Texas since coming over.
Merrill Kelly – We picked him up at the trade deadline this year from Arizona. He was on the last year (the option year) off a deal with AZ, and is a fa after this year. He’s been decent if not spectacular since coming over in the 9 games he’s started here. His salary in 2025 was $7m. I could see them offering him a deal if nothing else pops up in the offseason.

Arbitration

These are guys who have reached their arbitration years. Still technically under team control, but they have to go through the salary arbitration process (unless of course a separate deal is made – Garcia’s two year deal that expires this year is an example of that). The Rangers are usually good with this – we haven’t had a case to go actual arbitration since the year 2000 (Lee Stevens). Once a player reaches this level, they have three years of arbitration before they become eligible for free agency.

The Rangers always have the option to just not offer a contract to a player, making them an immediate free agent.

If you’d like to read more, click here to read the official MLB defintion of the arbitration rules.

Adolis Garcia – After the 2023 season, he signed a two year contract after some acrimonious negotiations. That contract is up after 2025, and while he technically has one year left of arbitration in 2026, it would not surprise me if they do not offer him a contract and let him go. Had a $10.5m salary in 2025.
Jonah Heim – He has one year of arbitration in 2026. However, he’s had an epic level fall off from the World Series team, I’d be really surprised if he’s brought back in 2026, and we’ll go with Higgy as #1 unless we signed someone else. Had a $4.75m salary in 2025.
Jacob Webb – Has one more year of arb in 2026. Made $1.25m in 2025, so he’ll probably be back based on his pretty low salary and his numbers being decent. Had a $1.25m salary in 2025.
Josh Sborz – Has one more year of arb in 2026. He spent the majority of 2025 hurt, and given he was the guy who spiked the last pitch in the World Series… He’ll be back. Had a $1.1m salary in 2025.
Jake Burger – 2026 is his first year of arbitration, so I suspect he’ll be back. He hasn’t been lights out, but he hasn’t been awful either. Had a $790k salary in 2025.
Josh Jung – 2026 is his first year of arbitration, so he’ll be back given he’s expected to to be the 3B of the future. Had an uneven year for sure, but too soon to cut bait here. Had a $780k salary in 2025.
Josh Smith – 2026 is his first year of arbitration. He’ll be back. While he’s ending 2025 a bit flat, he’s been a major utility guy of late, so we’ll keep him. Also through 21 Sep, he’s played more games than anyone else on the club – He has played 141 of the 156 we’ve played to this point. He had a $780,500 salary in 2025. It will go up, I’m sure.
Ezequiel Duran – 2026 is his first year of arbitration. I’m on the fence with him. When he’s good, he’s quite good, but he has large stretches of being flat/nothing. It wouldn’t surprise me if they bring him back, but I’m not really clamoring for it, either. He had a $730,519 salary in 2025.
Sam Haggerty – Haggerty actually played 64 games with us this year before being put pn the DL on 17 Aug. He’s likely not coming back this season from that. 2026 is his third year of arbitration. Unclear what his salary was, likely the minimum. My guess is they offer him a contract and stick him in AAA for insurance.

Team Control

These are guys who don’t have enough service time for free agency, and haven’t yet reached their arbitration years (see the MLB rules on this stuff). Their contracts are dictated by the team, and the team could also just not offer them a renewal contract, making them a free agent.

Cody Bradford – Before he got hurt, he was really looking like a big part of the starting rotation. Given he doesn’t get to arbitration until 2027, he’ll be back. He had a $774,000 salary in 2025.
Wyatt Langford – About as much of a lock as a team control guy could be. He’ll be back. He had a $773,500 salary in 2025.
Robert Garcia – I know people kept screaming for him to be DFA’d in 2025, but… He doesn’t reach arbitration until 2027, so he’s not going anywhere. It’s the primary reason we traded for him – team control. Had a $772,500 salary in 2025.
Jack Leiter – I don’t believe he reaches arbitration until 2030, but if he improves over the next two years the way he did this year, they’ll sign him long term for sure. He had a $762,500 salary in 2025.
Kumar Rocker – I also don’t think he gets to arb until 2030 as well. He on the other had seems to have slid a bit. He got himself demoted to the minors, and was shelved THERE for awhile. He’s not going anywhere though, although likely in the minors to start 2026. Had a $761,500 salary in 2025.
Evan Carter – Reaches arb in 2027. He’ll be back in 2026. Split salary in 2025 – $631,054.
Luis Curvelo – Unclear where his arb kicks in given his international status. Not sure about this one either way, probably bring him back as he’s been “Ok” and under team control for quite awhile.
Alejandro Osuna – Has had flashes of brilliance, and is under team control for quite awhile as 2025 is his first year. They’ll likely offer him a contract, and he’ll start in AAA again. Not sure about his salary, likely minimum.
Michael Helman – We picked him up off waivers from Pirates after they picked him up off waivers from the Cardinals, who got him via a trade from the Twins – all in 2025. He’s moved around a bit, but done well in the 31 games he’s played for Texas in 2025. Under team control for quite awhile, they’ll likely renew his contract and stash him in the minors for 2026, IMO.
Jacob Latz – He’s got one year left of team control before reaching arb in 2027. He’s shown signs of brilliance in 2025 stepping in for injured starters. They’ll absolutely renew his contract, probably give him a few extra bucks too. Curious to see if he takes a step next season as there def seems like a good opportunity for him. He made league minimum in 2025.
Cole Winn – Another guy who is several years off from reaching arb. They’ll likely renew his contract. My guess is he gets an invite to spring training 2026, but he would have to earn his spot, IMO – I don’t think he’s a lock. League minimum in 2025.
Cody Freeman – Another guy who is several years off from reaching arb. They’ll likely renew his contract. He’s done well in the 30 or so games he’s played in the back half of 2025. They’ll renew his contract for sure, but my guess is he doesn’t break with the club next year – but is at the top of the line for replacements out of AAA. League min in 2025.
Dustin Harris – He played 16 games between 11 Apr & 8 May, then he was DFA’ed on 31 Jul. Re-signed on 3 Aug, and then recalled again on 5 Sep, and has played three games here, but back in the minors. Kind of has that feel of a AAAA player, but he is years away from arbitration. I have no idea where they’ll go with him given all the movement this year.
Marc Church – a reliever that has looked great in several springs now. Have loved what I’ve seen, but seems perpetually hurt. He did pitch five games for us in the majors in 2025 between 28 Mar & 11 Apr, and has been in the minors/hurt since. I’d LOVE for him to stay healthy, he’s got great stuff. Still years away from arbitration, I’m sure they’ll offer him a contract for next year.
Justin Foscue – A name that was always bandied about as a big thing coming down the line. Hasn’t really developed that way. He’s still in our minor leagues, but seems to have fallen behind some of the other names in the pecking order. Years away from arbitration, so probably will get a new contract and stay in minors. Did play 4 games in the big leagues this year between 23 Jun & 20 Jul.

Already Gone

These are guys who have played for the Rangers in 2025, but are no longer on the team. I wanted to mention them because they were Rangers players this year. Plus I’m pedantic enough that I want to cover everyone. My uniform number history pages should be enough evidence of that.

Luke Jackson – Pitched 39 games with us between 27 Mar & 22 Jul. We released him, he was signed by the Tigers, for whom he pitched three games between 27 Jul & 5 Aug. Then the Tigers released him too. Mariners then signed him, and he’s now pitched 7 games for them since. He will not be back.
Leody Taveras – Opened the season with us, played 35 games here until (shockingly) Seattle picked him up off waivers, and has been there since (although spent time in AAA with Seattle too). A guy I always wished grabbed his opportunity here, but he never did.
Dane Dunning – A guy that really frustrated me. When we got him from the White Sox, I thought he was going to be a major big deal, and while he was good for a bit, he fell off a cliff. He pitched just five games for us this year (one on 29 Apr, and the rest between 23 Jun & 10 Jul). After that he was traded to the Atlanta Braves where he’s pitched seven games between 20 Jul & 17 Sep. Not any better there, either, sadly.
Caleb Boushley – Pitched 25 games with us between 12 Apr & 6 Sep before Tampa Bay picked him up off waivers. However, he’s not pitched in the majors with Tampa since they took him.
Kevin Pillar – played 20 games with us between 27 Mar & 23 May at which point we released him. He retired a little bit after that.
Tucker Barnardt – He was up here to catch 8 games in May when Higgy was on the DL. Sent back to minors after that and then released on 30 Jun. As far as I can tell, he’s not signed anywhere else since. He has won two gold gloves (both with the Reds in 2017 & 2020). He is also 34, so unlikely to return.
Nick Ahmed – Played 5 games with us between 23 Apr & 1 May – all at shortstop. We released him on 5 May, and as far as I can tell, nobody’s picked him up since. Won’t be back.
Blaine Crim – Played 5 games with us between 2 May and 9 May (3 at 1B, 2 at DH). After that, he languished in our minors before being picked up off waivers by the Rockies on 3 Aug. He’s played 9 games at 1B for the Rockies since.
Jonathan Ornelas – Drafted in the 3rd round by the Rangers in 2018, and stuck around in our minor leagues for awhile. Total of 30 games in the bigs with Texas in 2023, 24, & 25 combined (4 in 2025). On 24 May this year the Braves purchased his contract from Texas.
Gerson Garabito – Pitched 18 games in relief in 2024, and then actually made the opening day roster in 2025. Only pitched three games in the bigs, the last being 7 Apr. He was then in the minors for a bit before being released on 14 Jun. He is currently pitching in the Korean Baseball league.
Carl Edwards Jr – Pitched just two games for us on 15 & 16 of Sep 2025. He was DFA’ed on 19 Sep, and as I write this is still technically in DFA limbo, but given the season is just about over, I don’t see him coming back.
Billy McKinney – A local boy – went to High School in Plano, born in Dallas. Played just two games with us on 1 & 2 Jul. He elected free agency on 7 Jul, but then re-signed with us, and has been in the minors since. A 31 year old career infielder who counts the Rangers as his eighth organization in 7 years!.. He’s unlikely to be back. For the record, Yankees, Blue Jays, Brewers, Mets, Dodgers, A’s, Yankees again, Pirates, & Rangers.
Codi Heuer – Heuer pitched just a single game with us in 2025 (3 Jun). His contract was purchased by the Tigers on 31 Jul, and pitched two games for them in August – but was eventually released by the Tigers on 18 Sep.

Of course all of these plans can be upset by some big trade or free agent signing in the off season. If we stayed under the the luxury tax threshold (which we appear to have done), then we’ll be in the market for some pieces this off season for sure, definitely knocking some of my guesses above out of the organization.