The arbitration-free streak continues. Adolis Garcia and the Texas Rangers came to a contract agreement just prior to the arbitration hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon. Before the arbitration deadline, Garcia and the Rangers disagreed on a salary number. The club offered a $5 million contract, whereas Garcia and his agent asked for $6.9 million. The two sides agreed to a two-year guaranteed $14 million contract with escalators, including MVP finishes, plate appearances, and All-MLB Team selections, that could reach as high as $20.25 million.
In 2023, Adolis Garcia slashed a .245/.328/.508 before an oblique injury brought about a premature end to his season before Game 4 of the World Series Classic. He played 148 of the 162 games, most of which were missed due to injury. In those 148 appearances, he had 136 hits, 108 runs, 29 doubles, 39 home runs, 107 RBIs, nine stolen bases, 65 walks, an OPS of .836, and a 2023 WAR of 4.2. Aside from being a member of the 2023 World Series Champions, he was named the American League Championship Series MVP and the American League All-Star team and earned his first Rawlings Gold Glove. He was also named to the All-MLB Team 2 and earned the 2023 Babe Ruth Award.
Garcia has become a teammate that can be relied upon to come through in a tight spot. The Grand Slam to silence the Houston Astros and send them home was something that we could have only ever dreamed of. Then his walkoff home run in the 11th inning of World Series Game 1 further cemented his place on the roster and in the hall of Rangers legends.
2023 was an exciting year for Rangers fans, and things are looking bright for 2024. With this contract squared away, there are only a few more critical pieces to work out, but with the TV deal being finalized and approved, we should start to see movement on that front. Here’s to hoping that free Hurtado BBQ for life is a decent enough lure to bring that final piece back into the fold.
