According to a report from Francys Romero, the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement with Cuban-born outfielder Adolis Garcia on a one-year deal worth $10 million, pending a physical.
Garcia was non-tendered by the Texas Rangers following the 2025 season, in which he hit just .227 with a .665 OPS. Offensively, it was the worst season of his career. The soon-to-be 33-year-old is known for his power, but he hit just 19 home runs, the fewest he’s had across his five full Major League seasons.
However, there is reason for optimism with the Phillies’ latest signing. Despite his huge frame, Garcia is an excellent defender. He has one of the strongest arms in the game and was worth 16 defensive runs saved and one out above average according to Baseball Savant.
Even when he’s not hitting, Garcia still provides value away from the plate. However, when he puts together consistent offensive seasons, Garcia becomes one of the most feared hitters in the game.
In 2023, he slugged 39 home runs. That year, he finished 14th in MVP voting, took home a Gold Glove in right field, and was the ALCS MVP. Across 15 postseason games, he hit eight more long balls and batted .323 with a 1.108 OPS. The Phillies have been hunting for a playoff riser after falling short in 2024 and 25, and they might have found their man.
However, what Garcia has in power, he lacks in plate discipline. At his peak in 2023, he demonstrated that it could be improved, but in 2025, his walk rate was 12th percentile in MLB at just 5.1%. Coupled with a strikeout rate of nearly 25%, Garcia could look very similar to Nick Castellanos at the plate if his struggles continue.
Speaking of Castellanos, this all but seals the door on his departure. Phillies president Dave Dombrowski has been open about the team’s plans to move on from their former $100 million signing after his clashes in the dugout and toils at the plate became more apparent than ever in 2025.
The Phillies will likely intend for Garcia to be the everyday right fielder in 2025, leaving center and left field to be covered by some combination of Brandon Marsh, Justin Crawford, and John Rojas, barring another trade or signing, of course.
Former Phillie and current free agent Harrison Bader is still on the market, and a reunion is certainly not out of the picture. Though the squad’s lineup for the 2026 season remains shrouded in mystery at this point in the early offseason, following the Kyle Schwarber signing, one more piece of the puzzle has now been placed.
