Texas Rangers sign veteran catcher Kyle Higashioka

The Texas Rangers on Monday signed veteran catcher Kyle Higashioka to a two-year contract with a mutual option for 2027.

The deal is worth$13.5 million, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Higashioka, 34, played for the San Diego Padres last season, after being a part of the Juan Soto trade with the New York Yankees last offseason.

The 6-foot-1, 202-pound catcher found his power stroke as the Padres raced toward the postseason. He finished with a career-high 17 home runs, to go along with 45 RBIs and 29 runs. He played in 84 games for San Diego, making 263 plate appearances.

As a Padre, in his final year of arbitration eligibility, the right-handed-hitting catcher made $2.18 million and appeared in line for a raise headed into spring training.

A defensive standout behind the plate, Higashioka was largely a backup during his time with the Yankees, often catching New York ace Gerrit Cole. In San Diego, another team full of stars, he fit right in.

"He's been fantastic," San Diego manager Mike Shildt said during the Padres' postseason run. "He's done a great job of being an extension of myself. A catcher-manager relationship is important.

"[But] the most important thing is his relationship with the pitchers. That's the most important relationship, is making sure he's synced up with them."

The Rangers, who won the World Series in 2023, finished 78-84 and in third place in the American League West last season.br/]