Former Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka is headed south.
On Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today first reported that the 34-year-old catcher had signed a two-year deal with the Texas Rangers. Jon Heyman of The New York Post confirmed the report, adding that the deal was worth $13.5 million plus incentives.
Higashioka was a fan-favorite in the Bronx. He was sent to the San Diego Padres last winter along with pitchers Jhony Brito, Michael King, Drew Thorpe and Randy Vásquez in the trade that brought Juan Soto to the Yankees.
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In 84 games with the Padres, Higashioka posted career highs in home runs (17) and RBI (45). His 101 OPS+ is the highest of his career (minimum 50 plate appearances).
Yankees catchers Austin Wells and Jose Trevino had 21 home runs combined, just four more than Higashioka, who served as a backup in San Diego. Wells alone did surpass Higashioka’s RBI total by a significant amount – 55 RBI to 45.
Higashioka’s contract is the eighth largest for a catcher. He exceeds the total former Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud received from the Los Angeles Angels, $12 million over two years, despite having similar numbers. d’Arnaud 15 home runs with 48 home runs last season with the Braves.
Higashioka bid Yankees fans goodbye in a lengthy post on social media when he was traded to San Diego. He’d spent his entire professional career there after all.
“As I reflect on my 16 seasons with the Yankees organization, I have nothing but gratitude to express to the fans, my teammates, the organization, and the Steinbrenner family, for the many incredible moments, we have all shared during my time in pinstripes,” Higashioka wrote.
Now he’s onto his third team in three seasons.
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Manny Gómez may be reached at [email protected].
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