Predicting where these remaining Rangers free agents will sign for the 2026 season

As January nears the free agent market is slowly winding down, except for a few former Texas Rangers that find themselves about to enter the year still undecided where they will play baseball in the spring.

Everyone from pitchers Jon Gray and Tyler Mahle to the newly non-tendered catcher Jonah Heim, there's a lot of uncertainty for a few faces that have spent at minimum the last couple of seasons safely tucked under multi-year deals with Texas.

While a handful might still be linked to return to Texas, it's still not a given. Therefore, let's look into our crystal ball and try and predict their futures.

Where will these former Texas Rangers play baseball in 2026?

Patrick Corbin, LHP

Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates

Not sure why but this one makes a lot of sense to me. The Pirates aren't close to contention which is where Corin would mostly come in handy but with several young pitching stars including Paul Skenes, Corbin slots in as either long-relief of backend of the rotation. With the aggressive push to get Ryan O'Hearn earlier this offseason, why not?

Danny Coulombe, LHP

Prediction: Boston Red Sox

Predicted to go to Boston by a handful of insiders, it's easy to see why. The lefty compiled a 2.30 ERA, 43 strikeouts and 18 walks in 55 innings spread out with the Minnesota Twins and Rangers in 2025. Projected to be in the market for a $4-5 million deal this is a cheap way for Boston to solidify a bullpen headlined by Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman.

Jon Gray, RHP

Prediction: Kansas City Royals

This seems like a great arm for the Royals as they search for a return to the playoffs after a short-lived trip in 2024. The rotation is perhaps one of the strongest builds for Kansas City, anchored by Kris Bubic, Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo. Gray also does pose a potential fit for a bullpen and could tie in nicely with Carlos Estevez, John Schreiber and newly acquired Matt Strahm.

Jonah Heim, C

Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays

Heim was born to be a Tampa Bay Ray with the approach Kevin Cash and that front office take with the construction of their roster. Right now, the Rays are entering 2026 with Nick Fortes as their primary backstop it would make sense for them to grab a younger World Series winning catcher as a duo.

Tyler Mahle, RHP

Prediction: Rangers

Still holding out hope that Chris Young does what he says and goes after another starter to fill out the back part of the rotation. I am leaning toward familiarity in this setting and they will go after the 31-year-old, hoping to make him Ranger for a year or two at $11 million AAV.

Josh Sborz, RHP