Revisiting the Cardinals-Rangers Adolis Garcia Trade
Before he became an ALCS MVP and the Houston Astros’ daddy, Adolis Garcia began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals had no hope in the outfielder and shipped Garcia off to the Texas Rangers in 2019.
There’s no question that the Cardinals regret giving him up. It makes it even worse when you see the Rangers basically gave up nothing to acquire Garcia.
Garcia didn’t become the player he is overnight. He only recorded six at-bats in the shortened 2020 season. In the spring of 2021, the Rangers designated him for assignment.
The outfielder was put on waivers, allowing the other 29 teams to pick him up with ease. All 29 teams, including the Cardinals, then passed on the now 30-year-old slugger. The Rangers invited Garcia to Spring Training that year, where he played in 149 games and was named an AL All-Star. He recorded 31 home runs, 90 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting.
Garcia struck out 194 times and only produced a .286 on-base percentage, but the best part is he continues to improve off of his rookie season. He raised his on-base percentage to .300 in 2022, and then to .328 this season.
Garcia also improved his walk rate, going from 5.1 percent in 2021 to 10.3 percent here in 2023, according to Baseball Reference. He’s hit 97 home runs in his three years with the Rangers and owned the Astros in this year’s ALCS. He now has a chance to bring the Rangers their first World Series win in franchise history against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It’s safe to say the Cardinals screwed up. We haven’t even mentioned how they did this with Randy Arozarena, but that’s for another time.
Garcia’s story is pretty incredible, and winning a ring this season would undoubtedly be the icing on the cake.
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