Apr 28, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) rounds the bases on his two-run home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports Jim Cowsert
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan released a piece Tuesday ranking the top 50 trade candidates, and giving a percentage chance that each gets traded. As you might expect, the Phillies were listed as a potential suitor for just about any reliever or center fielder.
One name that they were listed among the possible fits for that hasn't already been discussed ad nauseam is Texas Rangers' right fielder Adolis García. Perhaps even more noteworthy is that the two writers from the four-letter network listed him as having an 80% chance to be traded, making the idea of the Phillies acquiring García much less of a pipe dream than, say, Jarren Duran.
The thing about García is that while he has some experience in center field in his career, the two-time All-Star is really more of a corner outfielder. But he's a damn good one, having won a Gold Glove Award in 2023. This year, he has 10 defensive runs saved and two outs above average in right field.
Of course, the Phillies have Nick Castellanos in right field right now. Perhaps after last week's saga in Miami, it's not impossible that the Phillies try to offload Castellanos this summer. But Castellanos has an .868 OPS in June, and the fact that he's owed another $20 million next season would make him difficult to move right now without eating a significant chunk of his remaining money.
If the Phillies landed García, it would presumably be to play left field. The 32-year-old doesn't have much experience in left field, but as Max Kepler has shown this year, if you can play a strong right field, typically you can get adjusted to left relatively easily.
Speaking of Kepler, he might be the odd-man-out if the Phillies acquire García. Kepler has played a strong left field, and has had some nice offensive moments. But he has a .691 OPS this year and is another lefty in a lineup that's too left-handed, so he shouldn't be someone that prevents you from upgrading if left field is the position you're able to do it in.
Granted, García has an even lower .681 OPS this year, so he's hardly tearing the cover off the ball. But he's a slugger that clubbed 122 home runs between 2021 and 2024. He's two seasons removed from posting an .836 OPS. And most importantly, García is a right-handed hitter that at his best could give the Phillies another middle-of-the-order bat, which despite some recent hot stretches from Castellanos, Alec Bohm and others, is a clear area of need for the team.
Ultimately, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies will have to evaluate what type of player they believe García is at this point. At 38-41, the Rangers would be reluctant sellers. Even if Texas sells, they aren't going to give away a player that is playing elite defense, has great power and has one remaining arbitration year in 2026.
Certainly, though, if García is available, the Phillies should consider him. Because if he's anything like the player that helped the Rangers to win their first World Series title two years ago, he could help put the Phillies on a parade float of their own this October.
