The Texas Rangers have made a calculated roster move, officially parting ways with right-handed pitcher Gerson Garabito, who has been transferred to the Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). The deal, finalized this week, includes a $200,000 buyout fee paid to Texas by the Lions, clearing the way for Garabito’s transition to international baseball and ending his tenure with the Rangers.
The move has sparked a mix of reactions across fan and analyst circles. Some view it as a harsh cut, while others see it as a logical decision for a playoff-contending club like the Rangers.
Garabito’s Rocky Stretch in Texas
Garabito, 29, made 21 MLB appearances, all with the Rangers between 2024 and 2025. This season, he pitched just eight innings across three outings, posting a 9.00 ERA. His struggles extended into the minors, where he went 0–7 with an 8.53 ERA over 31 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level.
Despite featuring a solid five-pitch mix, including a four-seam fastball averaging 93.2 mph, and secondary pitches such as a curveball, slider, sinker, and changeup, Garabito was unable to generate results in either league this year.
As the Rangers continue to pursue an American League West title — currently sitting second in the division with a 40–33 record — the need to clear underperforming roster spots has become a priority.
Samsung Lions Fill a Void
On the other side of the Pacific, the Samsung Lions were dealing with a sudden rotation vacancy. After losing Denyi Reyes to a second foot fracture this season, the Lions urgently sought an experienced replacement. They signed Garabito to a $356,666 contract for the remainder of the 2025 season, and paid the required $200,000 buyout to Texas to finalize the transfer.
Garabito was reportedly on the radar of several KBO and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) teams, but the Lions moved decisively to complete the deal. Currently ranked fourth in the KBO standings (38–32–1), Samsung boasts the league’s top home run total (79) and second-most runs scored (380), but has struggled with pitching depth throughout the year.
The Lions are hoping Garabito’s skill set, combined with a change in environment, will help stabilize their rotation.
Business First
While the decision to move Garabito may feel abrupt to some, analysts see it as a practical step. With the July 30 MLB trade deadline approaching, the Rangers are positioning themselves to make impactful acquisitions. Releasing Garabito frees up a minor league roster spot and provides modest financial flexibility at a time when every dollar and position counts.
According to league sources, Texas is actively monitoring the pitching market following recent injuries to Jonathan Hernández and Brock Burke. The freed-up roster space could be used for a younger arm or leveraged in a trade package in the coming weeks.
A Second Chance Abroad
For Garabito, the KBO presents an opportunity to reset and rebuild. He has previous experience facing high-caliber competition, including a notable matchup in 2014 against current Lions slugger Lewin Díaz in the Dominican Summer League.
If he can rediscover his rhythm in Korea, Garabito could follow the path of many MLB veterans who revitalized their careers abroad and later returned stronger. The pressure will be high, but the opportunity is real.
