The Texas Rangers, struggling at 38–41 and sitting fourth in the AL West, are in a murky spot—close enough to contend, but clearly lacking the spark of their 2023 championship run.
Adolis García, a key piece of that title team, has started to find his power stroke again in June with nine home runs. But his overall line (.233/.285/.401) still reflects a volatile bat. That hot streak raises a critical front-office dilemma:
Should Texas sell high on García to retool for the future, or hold onto their slugger in hopes of a second-half surge?
The decision hinges on two factors:
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Their trajectory by the trade deadline (are they buyers or sellers?), and
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García’s long-term role and contract control (he’s under team control through 2026).
Rangers’ Outlook If They Move Adolis Garcia
Adolis García’s situation perfectly encapsulates the Rangers’ crossroads: they don’t need to tear down, but they may need to retool — and he’s the kind of asset that can catalyze that shift.
At nearly 33 years old and entering his final year of arbitration, García’s expected $14M+ salary in 2026 could be a hard pill for Texas, especially with Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford ready to take over the outfield. His age and cost may not align with the club’s longer-term outfield core.
But García’s postseason pedigree, combined with team control through 2026, makes him far more than a rental — he’s the type of win-now bat that can net impact pitching or infield depth from a contender desperate for October experience.
If the Rangers fall further back in the playoff race, García could become the centerpiece of a savvy rebalancing act — one that reloads rather than rebuilds.
A Huge Trade Target, Significant Return
Adolis García is emerging as one of the most intriguing trade chips on the market—not because he’s declining, but because he offers a rare blend of power, defense, playoff clout, and contract control.
According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, teams like the Phillies, Mariners, Guardians, Padres, and Giants are ideal fits. Each of them is firmly in the postseason hunt and looking for a middle-of-the-order presence with proven October impact—something García delivers in spades.
While his 2024 numbers are down from his 2023 peak, advanced stats like xwOBA suggest he’s been among the most unlucky hitters in baseball, ranking 17th in that metric. That, coupled with one more year of team control, makes him more than a rental—he’s a buy-low candidate with upside that contenders might aggressively pursue.
Adolis García’s resurgence has become a double-edged gift for the Rangers — both a boost to their offense and a boost to his trade value. Texas isn’t entering a rebuild, but they are facing a recalibration of how to extend their competitive window without overextending veterans or sacrificing development.
If García is dealt, the return would likely aim for:
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A controllable mid-rotation starter to stabilize their shaky pitching staff.
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A plug-and-play infielder, perhaps at third or second, depending on health and performance.
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Or a top-100 prospect close to MLB-ready who can contribute by 2025.
This isn’t about punting — it’s about reshaping. With a core of Seager, Semien, Jung, Langford, and Carter, the foundation is strong. Moving García would be about strategic sustainability, not surrender.
That said, keeping him remains fully justifiable. He’s hitting, he’s mentoring, and he’s proven in October. But as the trade deadline nears, Chris Young has to field the calls. García may be the most impactful bat available, and the decision to move or keep him could define both Texas’ direction and someone else’s postseason run.
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