The Philadelphia Phillies are adding a former All-Star, playoff hero, and World Series champion to their roster to their outfield with the signing of Adolis Garcia.
That said, the team is expecting him to be that player in their lineup, and Garcia isn’t putting pressure on himself to lead the offense either.
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During a recent press conference, Garcia talked about what he wants to bring to the Phillies’ lineup, and that starts with being a winning piece, as the 32-year-old called it.
“First of all, it’s a great, it’s a great town. I like the way they compete, and I like to compete. I love the dynamic of the team, and that was the biggest intrigue about me coming here,” said Garcia through his interpreter.
“I want to get, to be able to focus and and be in a better version of myself to add a piece to this winning team. There’s a great team involved. I just want to go and play my defense, and hopefully my bat will be there, and I just want to be that a piece and contribute to this good team.”
Aug 5, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) catches a fly ball hit by Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Garcia knows, maybe better than anyone on the roster, what it takes to be a winning piece on a championship-winning team. He was just that for the Texas Rangers when they won the 2023 World Series.
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It wasn’t just the power hitter’s bat that played a key role in that postseason run, but Garcia is very well aware of the impact defense can have, and is looking to bring that same impact to Philadelphia.
“[Sometimes] you cannot get an RBI, but you can stop an RBI in the outfield, you know, is who scores the most runs, so if you can take a run from anybody in the outfield, I am willing to do that at any time. It’s part of my game, and it’s what I bring every day,” continued Garcia “So that’s a big time of the things that I concentrate in the off season to be ready. I’d be at my best in the outfield at any time.”
Even though Garcia has a specific skillset, it’s pretty clear he’s willing and ready to do whatever it takes to help the Phillies win.