ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JULY 28: Adolis García #53 of the Texas Rangers on field against the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 28, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Outfielder Adolis Garcia, 32, is a free agent.
At the November 21 non-tender deadline in Major League Baseball, the right-handed hitting Garcia was not offered a contract by the Texas Rangers, the team he played for since 2020.
Garcia’s offense has declined in the past two seasons, which made him vulnerable to being denied a contract by Texas.
It seems evident newcomer Brandon Nimmo will replace Garcia in the Rangers lineup.
The left-handed hitting Nimmo was acquired in a trade with the New York Mets for infielder Marcus Semien.
Because he hits right-handed, Garcia may be a good acquisition candidate for the Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians have featured left-handed hitting lineups for the past several seasons.
It’s no secret left-handed pitchers have proven troublesome for Guardians lineups.
That’s why taking a risk with the potential power of Garcia may reap outstanding rewards.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – APRIL 11: Adolis García #53 of the Texas Rangers looks on 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, 205 pounds, Garcia has an average frame. His career power has been a 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 $2.5M signing bonus after he defected from Cuba.
Garcia caught the eye of Major League Baseball scouts while playing in the Cuban Serie National, Cuba’s very competitive professional baseball league.
Garcia won the Serie National Most Valuable Player Award in 2016,
After parts of two seasons refining his skills in the Cardinals minor league development program, Garcia made his big league debut August 8, 2018 with the Cardinals.
In December 2019, the Texas Rangers purchased Garcia from the Cardinals.
Garcia had been with the Rangers for parts of six years before becoming a free agent.
Garcia’s first full year with the Rangers was his All Star, 2021 season.
Garcia was an All Star with the Rangers in 2021, and again in 2023.
Considered a good defensive outfielder, Garcia won a Gold Glove in 2023.
Here are his impressive home run and RBI totals since Garcia’s first All Star season:
2021= 31 homers, 90 RBIs
2022= 27 homers, 101 RBIs
2023= 39 homers, 107 RBIs
2024= 25 homers, 85 RBIs
2025= 19 homers, 75 RBIs
While the decline the past two seasons seems dramatic, Garcia’s offensive production might 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 pitches. That in itself is of great significance.
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, left, congratulates Adolis García (53) after García hit 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, $14M contract with the Rangers.
His salary in 2025 was $9.25M.
Garcia enters his final year of salary arbitration prior to the 2026 season. He can be a free agent in 2027.
Unless he commands a multi-year contract, any team that acquires Garcia will have one full year to evaluate Garcia’s performance and determine a long-term plan regarding Garcia’s status.
It is fair to assume Garcia will fetch a contract which exceeds $10M. However, his offensive decline, and the fact he is in his last year of salary arbitration prior to free agency may impact his contract length and average annual value.
To this old scout, Garcia could add enough needed firepower to the Guardians to justify a contract north of $10M.
The Guardians have traditionally had one of the lower player payrolls in MLB. In fact, as they sit right now, the Guardians 40-man roster has two vacancies. Their payroll is in the range of $75M.
There is room for the acquisition of Adolis Garcia.
The Guardians have not had recent success with free agent acquisitions, and may be reticent to dip into that player pool.
However, the need for right-handed power is real.
Garcia represents a potential solution to a lingering problem.
As the holiday season heats up, so do trade and player acquisition discussions in Major League Baseball.
The Baseball Winter Meetings begin December 7, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.
Bringing Adolis Garcia to the Guardians lineup could be a very nice holiday present for Jose Ramirez, the Cleveland Guardians, and Cleveland Guardians fans.
The Guardians need Adolis Garcia’s right-handed bat.
Clearly, the risk is worth the reward.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/berniepleskoff/2025/11/28/outfielder-adolis-garcia-makes-sense-for-cleveland-guardians/
