ARLINGTON, Texas — Free-agent catcher Kyle Higashioka has signed a two-year, $13.5 million deal with the Texas Rangers, which includes a mutual option for the 2027 season.
In 2024, Higashioka set new career highs, hitting 17 home runs and driving in 45 RBIs in 84 games during his lone season with the San Diego Padres. He was traded from the New York Yankees to San Diego last December as part of the deal that brought Juan Soto to New York.
Higashioka’s contract breaks down as $5.75 million for 2025 and $6.75 million for 2026, with the 2027 mutual option valued at $7 million and a $1 million buyout.
The 34-year-old spent his first seven seasons in the majors with the Yankees, posting a .210 batting average, 40 home runs, and 121 RBIs in 314 games. Drafted by New York in 2008, Higashioka spent 16 years in the Yankees’ organization before making his MLB debut in 2017.
Now with the Rangers, he will join All-Star and Gold Glove-winning catcher Jonah Heim, who helped lead the team to a World Series title in 2023. Heim, who has played 131 games in each of the last two seasons, had a strong 2023 campaign with a .258 average, 18 home runs, and 95 RBIs. However, he struggled in 2024, hitting .220 with 13 home runs and 59 RBIs.
Carson Kelly, who was acquired by the Rangers from Detroit in July, became a free agent after the season.
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