Outfielder Sandro Fabian has reportedly reached a three-year agreement worth $5.8 million, plus $600,000 in performance bonuses, with Japan’s Hiroshima Toyo Carp in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), according to reports from Francys Romero and Mike Rodriguez. Fabian was previously on the Texas Rangers’ 40-man roster, and the Carp has paid a release fee to the Rangers, although the exact amount has not been disclosed. Once finalized, this move will reduce the Rangers’ 40-man roster from 39 to 38.
Fabian, who turns 27 in March, was originally signed by the San Francisco Giants in 2014 as an international prospect from the Dominican Republic. He was highly regarded by Baseball America from 2017 to 2020 due to his strong performance in the lower minor leagues, but struggled as he advanced. By 2021, his prospect status had diminished, and he reached minor league free agency without making it higher than Double-A.
Over the last three offseasons, Fabian signed minor league deals with the Rangers. He finally made his major league debut in September 2024, appearing in three games but going hitless in five plate appearances.
Primarily serving as upper-level depth for the Rangers, Fabian has logged 1,093 plate appearances across 265 Triple-A games, maintaining a 15.3% strikeout rate but walking just 6.9%. His .272/.332/.482 batting line in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League has resulted in a wRC+ of 95.
His spot on the Rangers’ roster appeared uncertain, and he likely would have spent more time in a minor league role if he had remained in North America. Even if he had earned a regular major league position, it would have taken him several years to gain enough service time to become eligible for arbitration. By moving to Japan, Fabian is not only securing a quicker path to a higher salary but could potentially set himself up for another MLB opportunity in the future. After three years with the Carp, he will be entering his age-30 season and may be able to negotiate a return to North America if he performs well in Japan.
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