When the Phillies inked Kyle Schwarber, the move was mostly met with nods of approval. Sure, there were a few skeptics, but for the most part, fans saw it as a step in the right direction. Now, with the team bringing in Adolis García on a one-year, $10 million deal, the reaction is far more mixed - and that’s putting it mildly.
García, just a couple of seasons removed from being a postseason hero in Texas, is now trying to reset his career in Philadelphia. The 32-year-old outfielder was non-tendered by the Rangers last month, a clear sign that his recent struggles at the plate - and the $10 million price tag - were too much for Texas to justify. But for the Phillies, who are looking to add right-handed pop and improve defensively in the outfield, this is a calculated roll of the dice.
The Risk: A Bat That’s Gone Quiet
Let’s start with the obvious. García hasn’t exactly been lighting it up at the plate.
Over the past two seasons, he’s posted a combined slash line of .225/.278/.397 - good for a .675 OPS. That’s not the kind of production you want from a middle-of-the-order bat, and it’s certainly not what Phillies fans were hoping for when dreaming of offseason upgrades.
The strikeouts are a concern, too. García owns a career strikeout rate of 28.1%, though he did bring that number down to 24.7% in 2025.
That’s still above league average (22.2%), but at least it’s trending in the right direction. The walks, however, remain scarce - just a 5.1% walk rate last season, well below the league average of 8.4%.
So yeah, there are red flags. And some fans and analysts haven’t hesitated to point them out.
The Criticism: “Just More of the Same”
Some in the Phillies community are drawing comparisons to past underwhelming signings. The name Max Kepler has been thrown around, with critics pointing out how much stock was put into “underlying metrics” that never translated into on-field production. García’s recent numbers don’t do much to inspire confidence that this time will be different.
The concern is that García represents more of the same for a Phillies offense that’s struggled with plate discipline. Too many strikeouts, not enough walks, and a reliance on power that doesn’t always show up when it matters. One fan summed it up bluntly: “Garcia just doubles down on what’s been plaguing this offense the last few years.”
It’s a fair point. The Phillies have leaned heavily on Bryce Harper and Schwarber to get on base and do damage. Adding another low-OBP hitter to the mix doesn’t exactly solve that issue.
The Optimism: A Glove, a Bat, and Kevin Long
But it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s a reason the Phillies made this move - and it goes beyond just hoping for a bounce-back season.
García brings something the Phillies have sorely lacked in right field: defense. He’s a strong, athletic outfielder with a cannon for an arm and solid range.
Compared to Nick Castellanos, who struggled defensively throughout his time in Philly, García is a clear upgrade. Even if the bat doesn’t fully return, his glove alone adds value.
And then there’s the Kevin Long factor. The Phillies’ hitting coach has a strong track record of helping hitters retool their swings and revive their careers. Former catcher and MLB analyst Erik Kratz pointed out that if García is willing to work with Long and buy into the process, there’s real potential for a turnaround.
“Don’t expect him to hit 40 home runs,” Kratz said, “but if he can get back to the 25-to-30 range, that’s a massive pickup.” That kind of production, paired with plus defense, would absolutely justify the $10 million price tag.
The Context: A Cheaper Alternative
There’s also a financial angle to all this. García’s deal comes at half the cost of Castellanos’ $20 million annual salary. And while the Phillies may still be on the hook for some or all of Castellanos’ 2026 money, swapping him out for a more affordable - and potentially more productive - option makes sense.
From a roster construction standpoint, the move checks a few boxes. Right-handed bat?
Check. Defensive upgrade?
Check. Low-risk, one-year deal?
Check. García doesn’t need to be an All-Star to be worth the money - he just needs to be better than what the Phillies had.
The Reality: Manage the Expectations
Let’s be clear: García isn’t being brought in to carry the offense. He’s not here to be the next face of the franchise. What he can be is a complementary piece - a guy who plays solid defense, hits 20-25 homers, and gives the lineup a little more balance from the right side.
If that’s the version of García the Phillies get, then this signing looks a whole lot better in hindsight. But if the offensive struggles continue, and the strikeouts pile up, the critics will be quick to say “I told you so.”
Ultimately, this is a bet on upside - and on the coaching staff’s ability to get more out of a talented but inconsistent player. Time will tell whether it pays off. But in a free-agent market where bargains are hard to find, the Phillies are hoping they just landed one.