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Outfielder Adolis Garcia, 32, is a free agent.
At Major League Baseball’s November 21 non-tender deadline, the right-handed Garcia was not offered a contract by the Texas Rangers, the team he had played for since 2020.
Garcia’s offense has declined over the past two seasons, leaving him vulnerable to Texas’ denial of a contract.
It seems clear that newcomer Brandon Nimmo will replace Garcia in the Rangers lineup.
The left-handed Nimmo was acquired in a trade with the New York Mets for infielder Marcus Semien.
Because he hits right-handed, Garcia could be a good acquisition candidate for the Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians have had left-handed batting lineups in recent seasons.
It’s no secret that left-handed pitchers have proven difficult for Guardians lineups.
That’s why taking a risk with Garcia’s potential power could yield excellent rewards.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – APRIL 11: Adolis García #53 of the Texas Rangers watches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on April 11, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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About Adolis Garcia:
At 6-0 and 205 pounds, Garcia has an average frame. His career prowess is the result of strength throughout his body.
In February 2017, the St. Louis Cardinals signed Garcia as an international free agent from Cuba.
The Cardinals gave Garcia a $2.5 million signing bonus after he left Cuba.
Garcia caught the attention of Major League Baseball scouts when he played in the Cuban Serie National, Cuba’s highly competitive professional baseball league.
Garcia won the Serie National Most Valuable Player Award in 2016,
After spending parts of two seasons fine-tuning his skills in the Cardinals minor league development program, Garcia made his big league debut on August 8, 2018 with the Cardinals.
In December 2019, the Texas Rangers acquired Garcia from the Cardinals.
Garcia had been with the Rangers for six years before becoming a free agent.
Garcia’s first full year with the Rangers was his 2021 All Star season.
Garcia was an All Star with the Rangers in 2021 and again in 2023.
Garcia is considered a good defensive outfielder and won a Gold Glove in 2023.
Here are his impressive home run and RBI totals since Garcia’s first All Star season:
2021= 31 home runs, 90 RBIs
2022= 27 home runs, 101 RBIs
2023= 39 home runs, 107 RBIs
2024= 25 home runs, 85 RBIs
2025= 19 home runs, 75 RBIs
While the decline over the past two seasons seems dramatic, Garcia’s offensive production could be an excellent compliment to Cleveland’s All World third baseman, Jose Ramirez.
If nothing else, Garcia might be enough of a formidable presence that allows Ramirez to see better throws. That in itself is of great importance.
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, left, congratulates Adolis García, 53, after García hits a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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Show me the money:
In February 2024, Garcia signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Rangers.
His 2025 salary was $9.25 million.
Garcia will be entering his final year of salary arbitration ahead of the 2026 season. He could be a free agent in 2027.
Unless he is on a multi-year contract, any team that acquires Garcia will have a full year to evaluate Garcia’s performance and determine a long-term plan regarding Garcia’s status.
It’s fair to assume Garcia lands a contract worth more than $10 million. However, his offensive regression and the fact that he is in his final year of salary arbitration prior to free agency could impact his contract length and average annual value.
To this longtime scout, Garcia could add enough firepower to the Guardians to warrant a contract worth more than $10 million.
The Guardians traditionally had one of the lower player salaries in the MLB. In fact, the Guardians’ 40-man roster, as it currently stands, has two vacancies. Their salary is approximately $75 million.
There is room for the acquisition of Adolis Garcia.
The Guardians have not had success with free agent acquisitions lately and may be reluctant to delve into that player pool.
However, the need for right-handed power is real.
Garcia represents a possible solution to a long-standing problem.
As the holiday season gets busier, so do discussions about trade and player recruitment in Major League Baseball.
The Baseball Winter Meetings begin on December 7, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.
Bringing Adolis Garcia to the Guardians’ lineup could be a really nice Christmas gift for Jose Ramirez, the Cleveland Guardians and Cleveland Guardians fans.
The Guardians need the right-handed bat of Adolis Garcia.
Clearly, the risk is worth the reward.
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