BY: OSABUOHIEN IMUETINYANOSA
The signing of Kyle Higashioka on Monday, appears to be a massive step towards a new era marked with a two-year contract reportedly worth at least $13.5 million which is absolutely commendable for such quality of player who is an experienced catcher for Texas Rangers.
The deal also features a mutual option of $7 million for 2027, with Higashioka assured at least a $1 million buyout, according to multiple media reports.
Higashioka, 34, worked his way from a reserve role to being the San Diego Padres’ starting catcher this year. In the regular season, he recorded career bests in homers (17), RBIs (45) and runs (29), with a slugging percentage of .476 while batting .220 with a .263 on-base percentage in 84 games (77 starts).
Behind the plate, he threw out 20 percent of would-be base-stealers (13 of 65), the fourth-best rate among National League catchers who started a minimum of 75 games.
He shined in the postseason, batting .263 (5-for-19) with three homers and five RBIs in seven games.
The Padres acquired Higashioka last December in the trade that sent star outfielder Juan Soto to the Yankees. Higashioka spent his first seven major league seasons with New York, hitting .210/.253/.391 with 40 homers and 121 RBIs in 923 games.
With Texas, he will vie for playing time with Jonah Heim, who hit .220/.267/.336 with 13 homers and 59 RBIs in 131 games this year (110 starts at catcher). Heim struggled after the All-Star break, batting .182/.224/.303 with five homers and 23 RBIs in 49 games (43 starts).
Kyle Higashioka is counted to be an impressive advancement for Rangers in all competition, with hopes built on his exceptional abilities.
