Dodgers Sign Former Padres, Angels, Red Sox Veteran Reliever in Free Agency: Report
The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly made another free agent signing.
On Thursday, the team agreed to a minor league deal with right-handed pitcher Luis Garcia, per Just Baseball Media’s Aram Leighton.
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Garcia will join the Dodgers at spring training.
Garcia, 38, is a 12-year MLB veteran who split the 2024 season between the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox.
Garcia signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Angels last offseason, and made 45 appearances with the Halos, sporting a 3.71 ERA. Garcia was then traded to the Boston Red Sox before the deadline and struggled mightily, sporting an 8.22 ERA across 15.1 innings pitched.
Garcia was initially signed by the Dodgers as an international free agent all the way back in 2004. He was then traded to the Washington Nationals in 2009 for infielder Ronnie Belliard.
Garcia made his MLB debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013, and played for the Angels, Texas Rangers, and St. Louis Cardinals from 2019-21.
Then, in 2022, Garcia signed a two-year contract with the San Diego Padres, and had a 3.73 ERA across two seasons in the National League West.
More news: Dodgers Could Have 2 Key Relievers Open Season on Injured List
Now, Garcia is joining the Dodgers as he looks to continue his MLB career. While Garcia has his work cut out for him to make the Opening Day roster, it does appear there will be two bullpen spots open with right-handed pitchers Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech potentially starting the season on the injured list.
Garcia has a 4.14 ERA across 528 career innings pitched.
Photo Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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Note: Nolan Arenado is an eight-time All-Star, 10 time Gold Glove winner who underachieved last season with a .272 average, and hit 16 homers and drove in 71 RBIs in 152 games. However, he’s hit at least 30 home runs in seven of 12 MLB seasons. We’ve been writing about the Dodgers making a deal to get him from St. Louis for awhile now. The Dodgers’ infield is NOT a solid infield, with an inexperienced Mookie Betts at shortstop, a question mark at second base, and a mediocre to poor, limited range, Max Muncy, at third base. Gold Glove – All Star, Arenado, can play the soft hit toppers, guard the line, protect the 6 hole, AND he will assuredly improve his offense, coming ‘home’ to LA. He gives the Dodgers two excellent corner infield defenders, and will surely take pressure off Mookie, making plays Fat Max Muncy cannot make at third because of his physical limitations. Most baseball men, besides us, agree it’s absolutely the right move to get Nolan Arenado! WHY would you keep a 35 year old, marginal player like Muncy, over a 10 time Gold Glover, & 8 time All Star? We believe the Cardinals will eat some of the 74 million, and 3 years left on NA’s contract, providing the Dodgers creative front office gives up some of their excess prospect talent, e.g. Bobby Miller, who we believe is not going to develop into what LA thought he’d be. ANDREW-GOMER, Nolan Arenado WILL be a major upgrade both defensively and offensively. Defensively, he absolutely solidifies the left side of the infield, and with he and Freddie protecting the corners, and the 6-4 holes, it will give the middle infielders less pressure, and more freedom, to cover balls hit up the middle. Overall, Arenado gives LA a major upgrade, especially on defense, but we also predict he ‘ll have a rejuvenated year offensively, as well!
BE SMART! SIGN ARENADO!
THE VECCHIO FACTOR SAYS… says:
02/13/2025 at 10:57 PM
Note: Nolan Arenado is an eight-time All-Star, 10 time Gold Glove winner who underachieved last season with a .272 average, and hit 16 homers and drove in 71 RBIs in 152 games. However, he’s hit at least 30 home runs in seven of 12 MLB seasons. We’ve been writing about the Dodgers making a deal to get him from St. Louis for awhile now. The Dodgers’ infield is NOT a solid infield, with an inexperienced Mookie Betts at shortstop, a question mark at second base, and a mediocre to poor, limited range, Max Muncy, at third base. Gold Glove – All Star, Arenado, can play the soft hit toppers, guard the line, protect the 6 hole, AND he will assuredly improve his offense, coming ‘home’ to LA. He gives the Dodgers two excellent corner infield defenders, and will surely take pressure off Mookie, making plays Fat Max Muncy cannot make at third because of his physical limitations. Most baseball men, besides us, agree it’s absolutely the right move to get Nolan Arenado! WHY would you keep a 35 year old, marginal player like Muncy, over a 10 time Gold Glover, & 8 time All Star? We believe the Cardinals will eat some of the 74 million, and 3 years left on NA’s contract, providing the Dodgers creative front office gives up some of their excess prospect talent, e.g. Bobby Miller, who we believe is not going to develop into what LA thought he’d be. ANDREW-GOMER, Nolan Arenado WILL be a major upgrade both defensively and offensively. Defensively, he absolutely solidifies the left side of the infield, and with he and Freddie protecting the corners, and the 6-4 holes, it will give the middle infielders less pressure, and more freedom, to cover balls hit up the middle. Overall, Arenado gives LA a major upgrade, especially on defense, but we also predict he ‘ll have a rejuvenated year offensively, as well!
BE SMART! SIGN ARENADO!
Arenado is,what? 33 years old. He has at least 3 or more solid years left! I think it would be in the Dodgers best interests to trade for him now while he’s still available. It would certainly be an up grade both offensively and defensively. Just my opinion from what I have observed as a season ticket holder for 46 years.