Rangers, ALCS MVP Adolis García reach 2-year deal to avoid arbitration
The Texas Rangers and ALCS MVP Adolis García have reached an agreement on a two-year contract extension.
The Rangers announced the deal on Thursday. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports that the deal is for $14 million, with incentives that could bump the value as high as $20.25 million for the life of the contract.
Extension avoids arbitration
Per the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers initially offered a $5 million salary for 2024, and García's camp countered with a $6.9 million ask, a gap that suggested the two sides would go to arbitration. But this agreement, pending a physical, bypasses arbitration and secures García's services in Texas through the 2025 season.
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García, 30, had a breakout postseason en route to Texas winning the franchise's first World Series. He set an MLB record for a single postseason series with 15 RBI in Texas' 4-3 series win over the Houston Astros in the ALCS. García hit five home runs in the series and posted a 4-for-5 effort with with two home runs, three runs scored, five RBI and a stolen base in the decisive Game 7. He finished the postseason slashing .323/.382/.726 with eight home runs and 22 RBI in 15 games.
The breakout introduced García to a wider audience, but he has been producing for the Rangers since he joined the team as a 28-year-old rookie in 2021. He made his first All-Star team that season and finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. He made his second All-Star team last season and won a Gold Glove in right field.
García slashed .245/.328/.508 for the 2023 season, with 39 home runs, 107 RBI and nine stolen bases. He'll play an integral role in the Rangers' bid to repeat as World Series champions in 2024.
