The Boston Red Sox came into the trade deadline wanting to acquire pitching, and they did. They bring in Luis Garcia, a veteran right-handed reliever from the Angels. García has 12 years of MLB experience with the Angels, Phillies, Rangers, Cardinals, and Padres. He has been solid this season and will head to Boston in exchange for four minor leaguers: Matthew Lugo, Niko Kavadas, Yeferson Vargas, and Ryan Zeferjahn.
Garcia has a 5-1 record, a 3.71 ERA, and 40 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings for the Angels this season. The six-foot two righty from the Dominican Republic has found consistency in his last four seasons, and has a career 4.02 ERA. García has an inspiring story, as he pitched in the minor leagues from 2006 to 2010, never making it beyond High-A.
He worked as a mover and barber in New Jersey until the Phillies signed him to a minor-league deal in 2013. He made his MLB debut that same year and has enjoyed a long and successful career. García joins Lucas Sims as staple bullpen pieces that will make their home in Fenway for the rest of the year.
The headliner of the four players going back to the Angels is OF Matthew Lugo,Lugo was the Red Sox number 17 prospect going into this season. He lit up Double-A earlier this season and has since been promoted to Triple-A and enjoyed moderate success. The nephew of MLB legend Carlos Beltran, the Puerto Rican outfielder could possibly see time for the Angels this year.
No other prospect was ranked inside the Red Sox top thirty, but Niko Kavadas has been raking in Triple-A this year. The big first baseman has 17 home runs this season for the Worcester Red Sox. Ryan Zeferjahn has been in Worcester with him after being promoted from Double-A, as the 26 year old righty has pitched in 18 games in Triple-A this year.
Yeferson Vargas is the final prospect in this deal. The 19 year old Dominican RHP has been very good in the lower minors in his young career, and has a good frame to build on now for the Angels.
The Angels make their final deal in a trade deadline that many expected them to be more active in, and Boston acquires solid relief pitching for their Wild Card push.
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WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo Credit: Luis Garcia #66 of Los Angeles Angels pitches in the top of the ninth inning during the regular season game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 28, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)
