For most people, the big shopping rush starts after Thanksgiving. But for MLB front offices, the real bargain hunting begins today. By five p.m. Eastern time, every team has to decide whether to offer a contract to its arbitration-eligible players for the twenty twenty six season. If a team decides not to, that player becomes a free agent immediately. This opens the door for other clubs to scoop up talent at a discount. And this year’s list is loaded.
Several big names are being talked about as possible non-tenders. Jonah Heim from the Texas Rangers is one of the most surprising. He is an All-Star catcher, but his performance has dipped, and multiple outlets say he might end up on the market. Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia is also drawing attention. He became a postseason hero, but his recent slump has pushed him onto the “maybe” list.
There are other big decisions too. Jonathan India of the Royals won Rookie of the Year but has not matched that level since, and his arbitration number is high. Washington’s Luis Garcia Jr. dipped in performance this year, making him a risk at his projected salary. Baltimore’s Ryan Mountcastle might be squeezed out now that Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo have arrived. Houston outfielder Jesus Sanchez has serious power but questions on defense and a ceiling around a seven hundred OPS.
Pitchers are in the mix as well. The Dodgers’ Evan Phillips is projected to earn over six million dollars even though he is recovering from Tommy John surgery and may miss the entire twenty twenty six season.
For teams that act quickly, the non-tender deadline is not about big headlines. It is about smart, calculated risks. It is a chance to grab players with upside who might flourish in a new environment. Where some teams see too much risk, others see a window of opportunity.