Texas Rangers News: Free Agency rumors, Hall of Fame ballot, new signings and more

Rangers sign 4 players to minor league deals, add 3 players to 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 Draft

The Rangers selected the contracts of righty pitchers David Davalillo and Leandro Lopez and first baseman/outfielder Abimelec Ortiz to their 40-man roster, protecting them from being selected in next month's Rule 5 Draft. The 40-man roster sits at 38.

Additionally, the Rangers signed righty pitchers Declan Cronin, Peyton Gray and Trey Supak and shortstop Richie Martin to minor-league contracts. Gray, Supak and Martin were all in the Rangers organization during the 2025 campaign. As for Cronin, the righty was a key part of the Miami Marlins' bullpen in 2024, but he only pitched in the minor leagues in 2025 due to struggles and injuries. He will miss the entire 2026 campaign while recovering from Tommy John Surgery.

Rangers open to trading Adolis Garcia, Jonah Heim

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Rangers are shopping outfielder Adolis Garcia and catcher Jonah Heim ahead of the non-tender deadline on Nov. 21. If Texas is unable to land a deal for either player, one of them will likely be non-tendered.

All signs point toward the Rangers cutting payroll this offseason, and getting rid of Garcia or Heim would be an easy way to do so. Both players have struggled since winning the World Series in 2023. MLB Trade Rumors projects Garcia will receive $12.1 million in arbitration and Heim will get $6 million.

2 Former Rangers fan favorites on 2026 Hall of Fame ballot

The 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, released on Monday, includes two notable former Rangers: left-handed pitcher Cole Hamels and outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. Both have slim chances of being inducted into the Hall of Fame, but being on the ballot is still a huge accomplishment. The voting results will be announced at 5 p.m. CT on Jan. 20, live on MLB Network.

Rangers free agency updates, rumors

Two potential Rangers free agent targets, lefty starting pitcher Shota Imanaga and outfielder Trent Grisham, actually won't be on the market after both accepted the $22.025 million qualifying offer.

Shortly after linking the Rangers to Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote that Texas could be looking to sign Japanese corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto. In 2025, Okamoto slashed .327/.416/.598 with 15 homers and 21 doubles in just 69 games before suffering an elbow injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year.

Rangers 2023 World Series champion first baseman Nathaniel Lowe is a free agent after being released by the Red Sox on Tuesday. Texas could use help at first base, but Lowe likely isn't the answer they're looking for.

Highly-regarded pitching prospect Alejandro Rosario to miss entire 2026 campaign

Alejandro Rosario, who entered the 2025 season as the No. 50-ranked prospect in MLB, will miss the entire 2026 campaign after missing the 2025 season due to an elbow injury he suffered last Spring. Exact details of the injury are unclear.