Adolis Garcia, who contributed to the Texas Rangers’ World Series victory in 2023, will take on a new challenge.
Local media such as “The Athletic” reported on the 16th (Korea Standard Time) that Garcia agreed to a one-year, $10 million (14.75 billion won) contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
After being released from Texas last month, he is currently recording five years and 95 days of service time, and if he fills one more year, he will be eligible for full FA status.
사진 확대 Adolis Garcia has found a new team. 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
Garcia had a batting average of 0.237 on-base percentage of 0.293 slugging percentage of 0.441 in 766 games over seven years in the major leagues. He played for Texas for six years from 2020 to 2025 and was a two-time All-Star.
In particular, in 2023, he played a batting average of 0.245 on-base percentage of 0.328 with a slugging percentage of 0.508 with 39 home runs and 107 RBIs in 148 games in the regular season, and also led his team to its first World Series title with a batting average of 0.323 (20 hits in 62 at-bats) with eight home runs and 22 RBIs in the postseason.
He was named MVP in the American League Championship Series and hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning in Game 1 of the World Series.
However, it continued to decline to an OPS of 0.684 in the 2024 season and 0.665 in the 2025 season, and was eventually released.
사진 확대 Garcia is a right fielder from the Gold Glove. 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
Most non-tender released players usually sign contracts with a cut or at least the same salary as the previous season, but he signed a contract that was slightly higher than last season ($9.25 million).
The Athletic said Philadelphia was desperately looking for a right-handed outfielder and picked him as the starting right fielder to replace Nick Castejanos next season. With the final year of his five-year, $100 million contract remaining, Castejanos will trade or release.
The media cited Garcia’s defensive ability as a decisive difference between the two players. Garcia is a proven defender who won the 2023 Gold Glove. Castejanos, on the other hand, is considered the worst right fielder in the league.
[KIM JAE HO, MK Sports Reporter]