ARLINGTON, Texas — On Monday evening, the Texas Rangers finalized a two-year deal with free agent catcher Kyle Higashioka, which includes a mutual option for the 2027 season.
This past season, Higashioka enjoyed a standout performance, achieving career highs with 17 home runs and 45 RBIs during his 84 games played for the San Diego Padres. he was acquired last December from the New York Yankees as part of a major trade involving Juan Soto.
The 34-year-old catcher previously spent the first seven seasons of his major league career with the Yankees, accumulating a batting average of .210, along with 40 homers and 121 RBIs over the course of 314 games. He was drafted by the Yankees in 2008 and remained with their organization for 16 years before making his MLB debut in 2017.
Higashioka is set to join a Rangers roster that features switch-hitting catcher Jonah Heim, who made a name for himself as an All-Star and Gold Glove winner during the team’s World Series-winning season in 2023. Heim has played 131 games in each of the last two seasons, contributing significantly to the team’s success. In the 2023 season, he posted a .258 batting average with 18 home runs and 95 RBIs, though his performance dipped to a .220 average with 13 homers and 59 RBIs in the recent season.
Additionally, Carson Kelly, who the Rangers obtained from Detroit through a trade in July, has now entered free agency following the conclusion of the season. His departure opens further opportunities for Higashioka as he integrates into the Rangers’ lineup.
