MLB Non-Tender Candidates & 2025-2026 Free Agents

Here’s a breakdown of the players‍ discussed in the provided text, focusing on their situations adn potential ⁣trade/contract considerations:

1. Luis García (2B, Nationals)

* ⁢ Situation: Had a strong 2024 season (.282, 18 HR, 22 SB,.762 OPS, 5 OAA) but regressed in 2025 (.701 OPS, -7 ⁣OAA).
* Contract: Earned $4.5 million in his first year of arbitration.
* Decision for ⁢Nationals: Paul Toboni (new president of⁤ baseball operations) must ‍decide whether to keep him at a higher price, tender a contract and perhaps trade him.
* Market Context: Second ⁣base free agency is weak, especially with Gleyber Torres accepting his qualifying offer. This could increase García’s trade value or justify keeping him.

2. Jonah Heim (C, Rangers)

*⁤ ⁣ Situation: Key contributor to the 2023 world Series team (18 HR, 107 OPS+,‍ 4.0 WAR).Has declined significantly in the two seasons since (-0.6 fWAR).
* Outlook: Performance has dropped on ‍both offence and defense.

3.⁢ Jonathan India (2B,‍ Royals)

* Situation: Won NL Rookie of the Year in 2021 ‍but hasn’t replicated that success. Struggled after being traded to Kansas City.
* Stats: Career-low 89 OPS+ in 2025.negative Outs Above Average at multiple positions.
* Outlook: ⁢Hasn’t lived up to his early potential.

4. Nolan Jones ⁣(OF,Guardians)

* situation: Showed promise as a‍ rookie with the Rockies (20-20 season,.931 ⁣OPS ⁣in 2023) but has significantly underperformed since.
* Stats: 8 HR, 13 SB, .618 OPS in the last two years.
* ⁤ Trade History: Traded from Guardians to rockies,⁤ then back to guardians.
* Outlook: Hasn’t maintained his initial burst of success.

5. Trevor Larnach (OF,‍ Twins)

* Situation: A left-handed hitting corner outfielder/DH who has hit 32⁣ HR ⁤over the past two years.
* Stats: .771 OPS and 116 OPS+ in 2024, but .727 OPS in 2025 as he faced more left-handed pitching.
* Split: Strong against righties (.759 OPS) but weak against lefties (.585 OPS).
* Outlook: A potential platoon player.

6.MJ Melendez (OF, Royals)

* Situation: Was a highly-touted catching prospect, but defensive struggles⁤ and the presence of ⁢Salvador⁤ Perez⁤ led to a position change.

Key Themes & Potential Takeaways:

* Regression to the Mean: Several players (García,Heim,Jones) had strong initial ‍performances followed by declines. This is a common ⁤theme in evaluating ⁣young players.
* ⁢ Trade Candidates: García is the most explicitly mentioned as a potential trade candidate, given his ⁣arbitration status and the weak second base market. Others, like Jones and India, might be available if their teams are looking to rebuild or‍ make changes.
* Arbitration Decisions: The Nationals ⁤face a key decision with García regarding his arbitration case.
*⁣ Position Versatility: Larnach’s platoon potential could make him valuable. Melendez’s position change⁤ is also noteworthy.