Adolis Garcia’s Future Uncertain as Pirates Target Rangers Slugger for Major Lineup Upgrade
By Justin Barry | September 16, 2025
The Texas Rangers are battling hard for a playoff spot in the AL West, currently sitting just 3.5 games out of contention, fighting closely with the Mariners and Astros. Yet, their recent struggles have raised doubts about the long-term makeup of their lineup, especially as they face critical games ahead, including a tough series against Houston that started with a loss.
Right fielder Adolis Garcia has been a source of concern for the Rangers. In a rough outing against the Astros, Garcia went hitless in four at-bats, dragging his season stats down to a disappointing .231 batting average with a .274 on-base and .401 slugging percentage. Once projected as a 50-home run threat, Garcia has been stuck in a slump since returning from a two-week break, going 0-for-8 with strikeouts and a double play grounding. His overall offensive production has fallen to a career-low OPS+ of 94, marking a tough year for the former All-Star.
With arbitration coming up this winter, the Rangers face a tough choice about whether to keep Garcia, who remains a defensive asset with a strong arm and glove, but whose offensive decline might make his salary demands hard to justify. Many analysts believe the Rangers may be ready to move on from him as they look to reshape their roster for the future.
Interestingly, reports from Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter suggest that Garcia could land with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he’d likely be the starting right fielder. Despite a down season by his standards, Garcia’s 28 doubles, 18 home runs, and 73 RBIs would rank near the top of the Pirates’ offensive leaders, offering a big boost to their struggling lineup.
If Garcia can rebound offensively to a league-average level (an OPS+ of 100) while maintaining his defensive value, he could become one of the Pirates’ most valuable offseason pickups. This potential move highlights both Garcia’s skillset and the Pirates’ need for offensive help. As the offseason approaches, all eyes will be on how both teams manage Garcia’s future.
