Phillies Trade Idea Acquires Rangers’ Chris Martin and Adolis García originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Philadelphia Phillies are preparing to go all-in at the trade deadline. Holding a slim half-game lead in the NL East and fielding an aging core, the World Series window will not stay open for long. Thus, swinging for the fences again in 2025 makes the most sense, and it is clear where the team needs to improve.
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With a desire for more outfield offensive production and a lack of consistent late-inning relief arms, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer proposes a blockbuster trade that would bring Texas Rangers’ slugger Adolis García and relief pitcher Chris Martin to the Phillies.
“García isn’t far removed from averaging 30 homers over the last four seasons, including 39 in 2023. He smashed five homers in the ALCS that year, too. And he’s under control through next season,” Lauber wrote. “The Rangers could pair him in a deal with 39-year-old reliever Chris Martin, a World Series winner with the Braves in 2021.”
Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski (left) and manager Rob Thomson (59) (right) watch bullpen sessions spring training workouts at BayCare Ballpark.Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Garcia would replace Max Kepler in left field and alleviate the left-handed hitter from his role after publicly lambasting the organization for a lack of playing time. Acquiring Garcia would also keep Bryce Harper at first base and allow Brandon Marsh to take over in center field long-term while reducing the pressure for offensive output from the eight-hole.
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This season, Garcia, 32, is slashing .229/.227/.389 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs in a struggling Rangers’ offense. Although the numbers indicate a season-long struggle, Garcia’s baseball savant page indicates a 95th percental exit velocity and an increased home run total if playing home games at Citizen Bank Park. His skill set may be redundant with Nicholas Castellanos on the roster, but adding another 30-home run threat can only help.
The Phillies’ bullpen ranks 25th in the league with a 4.51 ERA and has the fourth-most blown saves. While Martin will not fill the closer role, he can bolster a struggling pen and add another top-level arm in time for a second-half playoff push. In 29 games, Martin has a 2.49 ERA and a 0.987 WHIP.
Going back to Texas in the deal proposed by Lauber are Phillies’ pitching prospect Jean Cabrera (#11) and infield prospect Aroon Escobar (#13). Although it hurts to part ways with two top-15 prospects, the value Garcia and Martin provide to Philadelphia’s World Series pursuit is priceless.
Related: Phillies’ Three-Time All-Star Reveals Retirement Plan
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.