As imperfect as Adolis García is, he would offer the Phillies a chance to shake things up

Managing Editor

Monday, November 24, 2025

Jul 30, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis García (53) runs the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Gary A. Vasquez

If you don't want the Phillies to run things back in 2026, you better get comfortable with the idea that there aren't many perfect options to shake things up.

The latest imperfect option became available Friday when the Texas Rangers non-tendered Adolis García, just over two years after he was a key cog in their first World Series title.

To be clear, it wasn't surprising that García — who had been projected by MLB Trade Rumors to make $12.1 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility — was non-tendered by the Rangers. Over the past two seasons, García hit just .225 with a 96 OPS+, meaning he was below the league average of 100.

With that said, in a market that's thin on right-handed hitting options, particularly in the outfield, there would be worse players to try to hope for a rebound from.

First of all, García is a former Gold Glove Award winner in right field, one who continued to be a tremendous defender in 2025 with 16 defensive runs saved. He would represent a drastic defensive upgrade over Nick Castellanos, who posted minus-11 DRS last year.

Secondly, while García was never a high on-base guy, he was a legitimate source of power from 2021-2023, averaging 32 home runs and a .777 OPS. He peaked with 39 home runs, 107 RBIs and an .836 OPS in 2023. Anything like that would give the Phillies the right-handed thump they've lacked since Rhys Hoskins in 2022.

Of course, the reason García is available now is because he hasn't been that player the last two seasons. In signing him, the Phillies would be betting that he would benefit from a combination of having a chip on his shoulder after being non-tendered and just a change of scenery.

For what it's worth, the Rangers fired offensive coordinator — yes, that really was his title — Donnie Ecker in early May because they weren't hitting as expected. That didn't do the trick, as García, Jake Burger, Jonah Heim, Josh Jung, Joc Pederson and Marcus Semien, who was traded to the New York Mets Sunday, all underperformed. Whatever you think about Kevin Long, there were a lot of established hitters in Texas last year that didn't perform up to expectations.

It is true that even though García was non-tendered, he'll probably immediately be in demand because teams are so desperate for right-handed hitting now. Maybe that pushes him to a price — or even a two-year deal — that the Phillies are uncomfortable meeting because of García's recent struggles.

As fair as that may be, know that there isn't a perfect Plan B around the corner.

Rob Thomson acknowledged that the Phillies were a little too left-handed in 2025 during his year-end press conference. But J.T. Realmuto is a free agent, Castellanos is expected to be moved on from and Alec Bohm is a trade candidate.

The Phillies could re-sign Realmuto, keep Bohm and bring back Harrison Bader in free agency. With that strategy, though, they would be running things back in many senses, particularly if Kyle Schwarber is also re-signed. If some combination of Realmuto, Bader, Bohm and Castellanos aren't back, the Phillies will look different in 2026, but risk being even less right-handed than they were this past year.

Want another right-handed option? OK, but who?

The Phillies seem committed to keeping Bryce Harper at first base, which crosses Pete Alonso off the list, unless he's a Schwarber replacement.
Eugenio Suárez is an elite power hitter, but has a lot of swing in miss, defensive limitations and will turn 35 next summer.
Bo Bichette would be a great fit offensively, but the Phillies would have to convince him to move off shortstop and be willing to pay him over $200 million.
Alex Bregman is once again a free agent, but is entering his age-32 season and will likely only be a fit financially if Schwarber leaves.
Christopher Morel was non-tendered by the Tampa Bay Rays Friday. He has immense power, and seemed to be a budding star when he hit 26 home runs and posted an .821 OPS in 107 games for the Chicago Cubs in 2023. Since then, though, he's hit .204 with a .651 OPS. He also doesn't really have a position.
Taylor Ward was traded by the Los Angeles Angels to the Baltimore Orioles last week for a seemingly hefty price. Not only does that cross Ward off the list, but it likely means the Halos will hold onto Jo Adell, another potential trade option.
The Orioles would probably love to trade Tyler O'Neill, who is a right-handed hitting outfielder that has won multiple Gold Glove Awards. But O'Neill is due $33 million over the next two seasons, and hasn't played in more than 113 games any time in the last four years.
Speaking of injuries, Byron Buxton has been a popular trade target among fans this winter. First of all, we don't know if Buxton would waive his no-trade clause this winter. Even if he would be willing to given the state of the Minnesota Twins, the 126 games he just played this past season were the most since he played 140 way back in 2017.

The Phillies are reportedly trying to trade Nick Castellanos, but they haven't yet found a suitor, per @JeffPassan. pic.twitter.com/Gcu4rxASRr
— OnPattison (@OnPattison) November 18, 2025

Again, it's entirely fair to have reservations about García. He is a tremendous fielder, though, and if the Phillies think they can get him back on track to some degree offensively, he might be as good of a bet as there's going to be this offseason in terms of finding a right-handed hitting outfielder.