Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Entering the MLB offseason, the Texas Rangers front office has been ready to cut some payroll. Even though this team is only two years removed from winning a World Series, the Rangers have to reset some things in terms of overall salary on the roster.
The team made one of the first moves of the winter, non-tendering a contract to star outfielder Adolis Garcia. Garcia was set to enter the final year of club control, and he was dangled around at the trade deadline over the summer.
Now that he has been non-tendered, Garcia will immediately enter into free agency, not needing to go through the waiver process. The veteran outfielder should draw all sorts of interest around the league, especially given how many teams need help in the outfield this winter.
Garcia is a two-time All-Star, and he was one of the bigger reasons why the Rangers won the World Series in 2023. In the postseason with Texas, Garcia hit an incredible .323 with 20 hits, eight home runs, and 22 runs batted in over 15 games.
This led to him winning the American League Championship MVP award en route to Texas clinching the World Series title. Texas would have likely preferred to get something for Garcia, but this was a needed move for them.
His bat still has some pop in it, even with the diminished numbers over the past few seasons. This year with the Rangers, Garcia hit .227 with 27 home runs and 75 runs batted in.
Garcia has fallen victim to the boom-or-bust approach on offense that Texas has embraced over the past couple of seasons, and it has hurt his overall numbers. If he can get to a team that would work with him to get back on track, he could end up being one of the bigger steals of the offseason.
This is just a prediction, NOT a report!
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One team that could be a major player to land Garcia is the Chicago Cubs. Chicago is gearing up to potentially lose star outfielder Kyle Tucker in free agency, and Garcia could be a solid insurance option for them in case he does depart.
Garcia could fit in well alongside the other talented players on the Cubs, and his bat would carry in Wrigley Field. Chicago has done well over the years in terms of maximizing players on offense who may have struggled with their old teams, and Garcia could be next in line.
The Cubs reached the postseason this year, but they fell short in the National League Division Series to the Milwaukee Brewers. Adding a bat like Garcia to the roster could help them get over the hump, and he is a proven playoff performer.
Chicago’s front office has said that they want to be competitive in terms of building the roster this offseason, and bringing in the former All-Star could be a solid move. The Cubs are one of a few teams that make sense for Garcia, but he may prefer Chicago since they are seen as contenders this year.