The race to dethrone the Dodgers is on and all Major League Baseball teams are scouring the market for the best options to compete against one of the most powerful organizations in recent memory. The Phillies, who were eliminated by the Dodgers in the 2025 Division Series, are the latest team to add a new piece to their squad in an attempt to change history in 2026.
According to journalist Francys Romero, the National League East champions hired the services of Cuban outfielder Adolis Garcia, the 2023 Championship Series MVP and one of the heroes of the Rangers’ first title in franchise history in that memorable postseason.
The deal, pending official club confirmation and medical recognition, will be for one year and $10 million, and sends several clear messages to the Phillies heading into 2026. The first is that it closes the door on a possible return of Bryce Harper to the outfield, an option that had been considered after the end of the season. On the other hand, it is almost a fact that management will seek to offload Nick Castellanos in the current market.
Power, defence… and doubts
The signing of Adolis Garcia will guarantee power for the Phillies on the right side of the plate, something that is lacking in a team largely dependent on left-handers Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, who last week signed a five-year, $150 million contract. The Cuban’s arrival will serve as backup to Trea Turner, while they wait to renew ties with catcher J.T. Realmuto, another of the big priorities this winter.
Among all right-handed outfielders in MLB, Adolis ranks third in home runs (126) from 2021 to date, behind only Aaron Judge (193) and Teoscar Hernandez (131). In that span, he is also the third most right-handed outfielder with the most RBIs (407) and the fourth with the most steals (70).
Adolis is also a Gold Glove-caliber fielder, an award he won in 2023 and was a finalist for in 2025. His wide coverage, safety and the power and accuracy of his arm are defensive values that place him in the elite.
As a negative detail, the Cuban has experienced a downward curve in his on-base, slugging and OPS averages, in which he recorded the lowest indicators of his career in 2025. This was precisely the fundamental reason for his departure from the Rangers, who did not offer him a contract for the coming campaign.
Getting the best out of him is the Phillies’ priority, as they wait for the explosive player who between 2022 and 2023 hit 134 extra-base hits and 66 home runs and drove in 208 runs, with an overall OPS of .794. If Adolis can come close to that performance, he could be a lethal weapon in Philadelphia’s aspirations of returning to a World Series.
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