"Padres downfall starts again"; "Angels got competition" - Fans react to Rangers signing Kyle Higashioka on 2-year deal

The Texas Rangers have made their first major signing of this off-season after reportedly agreeing a two-year contract with Kyle Higashioka, which also has a mutual option for an extra year. The 35-year-old catcher signed the free agent deal after an excellent season with the San Diego Padres in 2024.

Fans on social media feel this may be the start of the downfall for the Padres, while others feel winning the division will be even more difficult for the Los Angeles Angels.

Kyle Higashioka was traded to the Padres at the start last season season as part of the deal that brought Juan Soto to the Bronx for his final year before free agency.

Higashioka produced his best major league campaign with the Padres in 2024. He batted .220/.263/.476 with 28 extra-base hits, including a career-high 17 home runs and 45 RBIs. He also went 5-22 in the postseason, with three home runs and five RBIs in seven games.

Therefore, many fans felt the Rangers quietly pulled off a shrewd acquisition for next season.

"Padres downfall starts again," posted one fan.

(Courtesy: Instagram)

"Angels got competition," wrote another fan.

(Courtesy: Instagram)

"I miss you on the Yankees," said another one.

(Courtesy: Instagram)

There were some more comments on Instagram.

"You just gotta love Higashioka," posted one Dodgers fan.

"Rangers winning it all this year," said a Rangers supporter.

"No more Higtober," said a Padres fan.

The recent surge of power that Kyle Higashioka produced last season makes him a good option behind the plate for the Rangers.

Rangers catching situation after the arrival of Kyle Higashioka

Kyle Higashioka hit a career-high 17 home runs and 45 RBIs in 2024 (Source: Imagn)

Although Kyle Higashioka has largely been a backup catcher in his eight-year major league career, he could be used as a platoon option by the Texas Rangers along with their primary catcher, Jonah Heim. On the other hand, Heim is currently up for arbitration, so he might be playing for a different team next year.

Jonah Heim enjoyed his best season in 2022 when he won his maiden All-Star selection along with a Gold Glove and a World Series ring. However, the switch-hitting catcher had a poor year with the bat in 2024. Heim batted .220/.267/.336 with just 13 home runs and 59 RBIs in 131 games and a meager OPS+ of 72.