Skip Schumake, the coach of the Texas Rangers, identifies three players that will not be on the team in 2026.

The non-tender deadline has come and gone. With teams making cuts, there are some new additions to the free agent market. While most teams, including the Nationals decided to tender contracts to many of the players seen as non-tender candidates, there are a few interesting new additions to the free agent pool. I am going to take a look at three players that fit the Nats.

The first player we will talk about is a former All-Star and the starting catcher of the World Series champion Texas Rangers. Back in 2023, Jonah Heim was one of the best catchers in baseball. He played Gold Glove defense while being an above average hitter in Texas.

Heim also had some big moments in the Rangers playoff run. Most notably he smashed the go-ahead homer in Game 6 of the ALCS. That helped the Rangers overcome the mighty Astros and reach the World Series. However, Heim has fallen on hard times the past couple years. His glove has gone from elite to average and the bat has fallen off a cliff.

Heim is still only 30 years old and the Nats need catching help. A lot of Rangers hitters have had tough to explain fall offs since 2023, so this could be a Texas thing rather than a Heim thing. The Rangers home ballpark has also become extremely pitcher friendly over the past couple of years.

Heim could be a bounce back candidate and he also has a connection to the Nats now. Paul Toboni and Blake Butera hired Bobby Wilson from Texas to be the team’s catching coordinator. Obviously, Heim has a lot of familiarity with Wilson, so that connection could be useful. Heim does not even have to get back to his 2023 form. If he can get back to being a solid starting catcher that would be a win for the Nats.

The next player I am going to discuss is also a Texas Ranger. Jacob Webb was one of the more surprising non-tenders this year. Despite posting a 3.00 ERA across 55 outings, the Rangers decided to cut bait with the reliever. Over the last three years, Webb has been one of the most reliable and consistent relievers in baseball, with a 3.22 ERA in 169 outings.