Following a monster 2023 season that included 39 home runs and a postseason stretch that evoked comparisons to Barry Bonds, García has cooled off in 2024. He’s currently batting .234/.279/.404 with 13 home runs. However, his bat came alive in June, and he’s continued to produce into July. Defensively, García remains elite—his 14 defensive runs saved (DRS) in right field are tied for third-best in MLB.
If he keeps up this recent form, García would be a strong deadline addition—assuming the Rangers are willing to deal him. He remains under team control through the 2025 season. While it’s unclear which teams have reached out to Texas, three logical landing spots stand out if García is made available:
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have built a long-term contender and aren’t afraid to make bold moves to stay competitive. Though President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman suggested that acquiring an outfielder isn’t likely, insider Jon Heyman linked the team to White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr.—indicating they may be exploring options.
Left field has been a weak spot for L.A., with Michael Conforto struggling mightily at the plate (.620 OPS) and in the field (-3 DRS). While internal options exist—such as shifting Tommy Edman to the outfield and slotting Hyeseong Kim at second—the team hasn’t been eager to go that route. Swapping Conforto for García would improve both their offensive and defensive outlook, while adding a player with proven playoff chops.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies also have a hole in left field. Free-agent pickup Max Kepler has posted a modest .678 OPS and has provided little defensive value—certainly not what Philly had in mind.
While Phillies executive Dave Dombrowski downplayed the idea of pursuing an outfielder earlier in the season, García’s improved performance—and Kepler’s ongoing slump—could change the calculus. With veteran ace Zack Wheeler still in his prime, the time to push for another deep playoff run is now, and acquiring García could help keep that window open.
New York Mets
After building a roster with championship aspirations this offseason, the Mets find themselves in the second wild-card spot. But with a 55-42 record, they trail many of the NL’s top teams, raising questions about how they’ll fare in October.
One area of concern is their outfield depth. Center fielder Tyrone Taylor has been a liability at the plate, posting just a .580 OPS. Bringing in García would allow the Mets to shift Brandon Nimmo back to center field full-time while slotting García into a corner outfield spot—significantly upgrading the lineup and fortifying their playoff push.
