The Texas Rangers are 3.5 games out of the third American League Wild Card spot, and they may decide to sell at this year’s Major League Baseball trade deadline.
If the Rangers do sell, they have several players that other organizations should have interest in, including outfielder Adolis Garcia, who won the ALCS MVP with Texas in 2023. There are several teams in need of a starting or extra outfielder, including the New York Mets.
Garcia could certainly help the Mets in the power department, and Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter believes the trade package to acquire him may not be steep.
Mets Need Outfield Reinforcements
After identifying Garcia as a trade target for the New York Mets, Reuter emphasized that the Mets’ outfield core has not produced offensively as of late.
“With Tyrone Taylor underperforming at the plate and Jose Siri sidelined with a fractured shin, the Mets have turned to Jeff McNeil in center field, while Ronny Mauricio is carrying a 30.1 percent strikeout rate as the team’s primary second baseman,” wrote Reuter. “Adding another potential option to the mix, there should be a priority.”
The Mets’ outfielder who is hitting right now is Juan Soto, who is batting .344 with six home runs and 10 RBIs in his last 10 games. However, everyone knows that just one player cannot lead an above-average baseball team. Adding Garcia to the lineup would give New York three serious power hitters alongside Soto and first baseman Pete Alonso.
Garcia’s offseason production has suffered a significant decline over the past two years.
“After hitting 97 home runs and racking up 12.1 WAR over his first three full seasons in the Rangers lineup, his production dipped last season when he batted just .224/.284/.400 for a 97 OPS+, though he still slugged 25 home runs,” wrote Reuter.
“Things have not improved this season, with his .222/.269/.377 line good for an 86 OPS+ that ranks 136th out of 158 qualified hitters, though his strong defensive work (10 DRS) has still made him a 1.3-WAR player.”
Mets’ Potential Trade Package for Garcia
Given Garcia’s recent offensive performance, the New York Mets may not need to trade multiple top-rated prospects to acquire the 32-year-old.
“The Rangers’ motivation for moving him [Garcia] will be offloading what is left of his $9.25 million salary, so the prospect return won’t be major, but they should be able to bring back at least one useful piece,” wrote Reuter.
“Reliever Anthony Nunez has a 1.47 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 14.4 K/9 in 24 appearances between High-A and Double-A this season, one year after joining the Mets as an amateur free agent out of the University of Tampa.”
In acquiring Garcia, the Mets would have a corner outfielder who they could also use at designated hitter. The Cuba native and Soto could share time at DH, giving them both the ability to take days off their feet on the grass. Garcia reaches free agency at the end of the 2026 season.
The Mets have also been linked to Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox, who shares a similar playing style with Garcia, albeit with significantly more speed.
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