The Philadelphia Phillies have finalized a one-year contract with outfielder Adolis Garcia, pending a physical examination, as reported by Francys Romero from BeisbolFR.com. The deal will guarantee Garcia $10 million. Represented by Octagon, Garcia enters the Phillies’ lineup following his recent non-tender from the Texas Rangers.
Garcia, previously projected to earn $12.1 million in his final arbitration year for 2026, was let go by the Rangers as they sought to reduce payroll and revamp their offense, which struggled with on-base percentages. In 2023, he played a crucial role in the Rangers’ journey to their first-ever World Series title, boasting 39 home runs with a batting line of .245/.328/.508. Despite his prior success, his performance took a sharp decline over the last two seasons, slashing .224/.284/.400 in 2024 and just .227/.271/.394 in 2025.
The 33-year-old Garcia still exhibits impressive power stats, averaging 92.1 mph exit velocity and a hard-hit rate of 46.7%. However, his chase rate on off-the-plate pitches has risen significantly, highlighting a growing challenge in his approach at the plate. The Phillies will look to revive his 2023 form, as he steps in as the primary right fielder, a position formerly occupied by Nick Castellanos. Castellanos, expected to be released if a trade doesn’t materialize, recorded disappointing numbers during the 2025 season, offering the Phillies a clear incentive to make a change.
Garcia is anticipated to provide a substantial defensive upgrade compared to Castellanos. While Castellanos struggled defensively with -11 Defensive Runs Saved, Garcia demonstrated his defensive prowess with a +16 mark last season. Although Garcia faced a setback in his 2024 defensive metrics due to a knee injury, there’s optimism that he can return to form, especially under renowned hitting coach Kevin Long and with the support of experienced hitters like Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.
With this acquisition pushing the Phillies’ payroll past $266 million, they are on the brink of the luxury tax threshold. The team is expected to pay a 95% tax on Garcia’s annual value, making his total cost to the organization approximately $19.5 million. This strategic investment suggests that the Phillies are not finished strengthening their roster yet.
As it stands, Garcia is likely to pair with Brandon Marsh in the outfield, while the team navigates potential center field additions and evaluates top prospect Justin Crawford. The revamped lineup is poised for improvement, embracing the hope that Garcia’s combination of defensive skill and offensive potential could lead to a successful 2026 season.