The New York Yankees are going to have to pivot after losing to their crosstown rival in the Juan Soto sweepstakes. Now that the New York Mets have agreed to a historic $765 million contract with Soto, the Yankees are facing a major hole in their batting order. But they might also have some newfound financial flexibility to address a range of roster needs. As the Yankees explore their options for the infield, starting rotation and bullpen, Peter Appel of Just Baseball has proposed a blockbuster trade that would bring in Adolis García from the Texas Rangers, who could go a long way in replacing Soto’s offensive production and his role in the outfield.
García is entering the second season of a two-year, $14 million contract with the Rangers and he has a final year of arbitration eligibility in 2026 as well, making him a relatively budget-friendly solution. And alongside Aaron Judge in the batting order, he has the potential to post some significant power numbers. García launched 39 homers in a 2023 season that saw him earn his second-career All-Star nod, Most Valuable Player Award votes and a Gold Glove Award. But he saw his production take a significant dip offensively and defensively in 2024, slashing just .224/.284/.400 on the year with a .986 fielding percentage and four errors in right field. If the Yankees feel like he can bounce back in the Bronx, the Rangers might be willing to sell low in a trade. “What would a package look like for García?” Appel wrote.
“The package would have been enormous if they traded for him last year. At this point, they can buy low if the Rangers are willing to listen.” Still, the Yankees would have to be willing to part with a big-name prospect from a shallow farm system to land a big-league talent like García, even after a down year. “Spencer Jones, one of the Yankees’ best prospects, could be enough to get the deal done in a one-for-one swap,” Appel wrote. .
“Jones is an exciting prospect due to his power potential, but after back-to-back seasons with an OPS under .800 in the minors with a lot of swing-and-miss, maybe both players could use a change of scenery. If that’s too rich for the Yankees, centering it around Roderick Arias while attaching another prospect should be enough to get these two teams talking.”
After losing Soto, the Yankees are likely turning to the trade market and the remaining available free agents to improve their chances of returning to the World Series. If they’re willing to part with some young talent, that could mean a blockbuster deal with the Rangers this winter.
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