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Rangers should jump at trading Josh Jung for Yankees slugger Luis García Jr. if MLB insider's intel is true

García would give the Rangers' lineup a much-needed power boost.
ByJackson Kruse
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Aug 26, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (26) reacts after his two run home run during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Aug 26, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (26) reacts after his two run home run during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Texas Rangers should strongly consider trading Josh Jung this offseason. Not because he's a bad player, but because top infield prospect Sebastian Walcott is nearing his MLB debut. Still, Texas shouldn't move Jung just to move him, as he posted a strong .827 OPS in 104 games this year.

If possible, the Rangers should deal Jung to the New York Yankees in exchange for first baseman Luis García Jr. The New York Post's Joel Sherman suggested that the Yankees could trade García this offseason.

García is coming off a 30-home-run, 90-RBI season. The Rangers' offense clearly needs a power boost, and moving Jung for García should do that. Texas ranked 21st in slugging percentage (.396) and 25th in runs (673) in 2026.

Rangers should acquire Luis García Jr. from the Yankees if Texas plans to compete in 2027

The Rangers should only make that trade if they plan to go all-in next year. García has just one year of team control, while Jung won't be a free agent until the end of the 2028 season. If Texas plans to compete in 2027 instead of undergoing a mini rebuild, adding García would be a smart move by president of baseball operations Chris Young.

García, 26, doesn't hit left-handers particularly well, so he and Jake Burger could be platoon partners. Acquiring García would also help offset the likely loss of designated hitter Joc Pederson, who is set to be a free agent this offseason.

García slashed .277/.309/.521 over 147 games this year. The New York Yankees acquired him from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline. He is a solid defensive first baseman, posting +2 Defensive Runs Saved and +3 Outs Above Average over 985 2/3 innings this season. He also played second base and shortstop in the past, but defensive metrics suggest he should stick at first base.

García made his MLB debut with Washington in 2020. He took time to develop, but at 26, that makes sense. After four straight seasons as a below-average hitter early in his career, García posted a solid .282/.318/.444 slash line with 18 home runs and 70 RBI in 2024. He regressed in 2025, hitting just .252/.289/.412 with 16 homers and 66 RBI, before having the best year of his career in 2026. García has been worth 5.7 fWAR throughout his career, and he accounted for nearly half (2.6) of that total this year.

If Texas offered up Jung for Garcia Jr., they'd have a good chance at landing the slugging first baseman. The Yankees are desperately trying to upgrade over Ryan McMahon at the hot corner, whom they are expected to move on from after a year and a half of disastrous offensive performance.

The Rangers could also consider extending García after trading for him. When Chris Young mentioned getting younger and more dynamic, this is exactly the type of player he should be envisioning. He is still young and could be a major part of Texas' lineup for years to come.

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