The Rangers non-tendered catcher Jonah Heim last week, but not because they had a younger option to whom they plan to hand the reins. Veteran Kyle Higashioka is signed through 2026, but president of baseball operations Chris Young said this week that he still plans to explore the trade and free agent markets to bring in some additional help behind the dish, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News writes.
It’s not clear how heavy a workload Higashioka will shoulder in 2026, but he’ll turn 36 in April and logged career-high marks in games played (94) and plate appearances (327) last year. The longtime Yankee backstop slashed .241/.291/.403 with 11 home runs in that time. Defensive Runs Saved credited him as an above-average catcher, while Statcast had his glovework closer to average.
Presumably, whoever is brought into the fold would be expected to play in at least a 50-50 split, as it seems unlikely that Higashioka would be in line for a major boost in playing time at age 36. Whether it was due to the workload or was simply a matter of happenstance, Higashioka hit just .174/.255/.283 with an uncharacteristically high 29.4% strikeout rate from Sept. 1 onward.
Unfortunately for Young and the Rangers, it’s not a great time to be in the market for catching help. The free agent class is headlined by J.T. Realmuto, though the incumbent Phillies will make a strong push to retain him. (The Red Sox are also among the interested parties.) Victor Caratini presents a credible starter or half of a 50-50 timeshare. Beyond that, the open market is comprised primarily of rebound candidates — Danny Jansen, Gary Sanchez and old friend Mitch Garver among them.
The trade market doesn’t offer many clearly available alternatives. If the Twins continue their teardown, then Ryan Jeffers would surely be available ahead of his final season of club control. The Cardinals have received trade interest in their stable of catchers (Ivan Herrera, Jimmy Crooks, Pedro Pages) and recently bolstered their depth by re-signing Yohel Pozo, but there’s no urgency for them to move anyone from that bunch. It’s a similar story in Kansas City, where the Royals have Carter Jensen and Blake Mitchell behind team captain Salvador Perez. Both Jensen and Mitchell were popular asks at the trade deadline. (Perez, who recently signed an extension and has full no-trade rights, isn’t going anywhere.) The White Sox have gotten trade interest in both Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel, but there’s no rush to move either.
The Rangers, after trading Marcus Semien to the Mets in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo over the weekend, project for about $169MM in 2026 payroll, per RosterResource. That’s miles below the $225MM figure the team fielded late in 2025. Nimmo said after the trade that Young made clear to him the club isn’t entering any kind of rebuild and still plans to contend for the playoffs in 2026, so even though the plan is to scale back payroll, Young & Co. should have space for subsequent additions.
Braves will give them Sean Murphy for Corey Seager.
I don’t think the Rangers are interested in being fleeced
Rangers might take it to get out from under that giant pile of money. I like Seager too and hope they keep him.
JC Escarra for Corey Seager. Problem solved.
What happened to Danny Jansen, I really like him and Kirk together in TO
Throw in Volpe and it might even out.
Seager for Murphy trade incoming…
For those who are suggesting Seager will be traded, it won’t happen. (As a Rangers fan)
Wells for DeGrom make it happen. Rice can catch for Yankees and bring back Bellinger for 1B. Trade for Kwan now before you possibly lose out on both Bellinger and Tucker. Cashman needs to be proactive. Make moves instead of acting out of desperation.
Hopefully cards and texas can line up on a trade. Commence the cardinal rebuild
Could Tyler Stephenson be a target? Reds have Trevino and claimed Rortvedt.
Stephenson has potential, but he has injury concerns.
I hope we go after Quero.
Wells and Volpe for Seager and his contract. After that Yankees can acquire Murphy.
Volpe, Wells, Warren and you have a deal.
Easy deal Joey Bart for pair of relievers, need to rebuild pen
Rangers should take Parada AND Susac in the Rule 5 Draft. Former first round picks in 2022 who were blocked in with the Mets and A’s and both clubs are hopeful of slipping them through and assigning them to AAA. Parada and Susac battle it out in Spring Training. Rangers keep the winner as their 2026 backup catcher and return the other to their previous club. Might accidentally find a catcher to count on long-term!
Seager is going nowhere and according to multiple reports Braves are on his no trade list. I think perhaps they will look into Caratini or Jansen. On the trade front they should look at the Cards and White Sox catchers or Bart, Stephenson or Campusano. Jeffers might be too costly in prospects.
I am curious Rangers fans as to what you feel will happen for remaining shopping list. Obviously need a closer like Helsley, Finnegan or Jansen perhaps a rebound like Romano. They will need some combination of Armstrong, Ferguson, Kinley perhaps Beeks for high leverage along with someone like Luchessi or Soroka for Swing LR roles. I know several have Arraez, but he is bad defensively with no power. Would rather trade for B Lowe or Donovan. If budget permits a lefty masher for Carter like Hays, Lane or Andujar. They need a starter as well either, two low cost Corbin style people like May, Buehler, Monty or Corbin or they need a number 3 like Suarez, Gallen, Mahle or Giolito. I don’t think they possess the trade capital for Ryan or Gore but maybe Lodolo, Burrows, or Shane Baz might be doable. A reclamation project like Ponce or Means makes sense.
Personally, I still think Bellinger or Alonso would be great choices but $$$ likely not available considering other needs.