Report: Red Sox acquire RHP Luis Garcia from Los Angeles Angels
The Red Sox reportedly made one last deal ahead of the 6 p.m. trade deadline, acquiring veteran right-hander Luis Garcia from the Los Angeles Angels.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post was first to report the deal. According to multiple reports, the Red Sox gave up four prospects in the deal, including infielder Matthew Lugo, right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn, first baseman Niko Kavadas and right-hander Yeferson Vargas.
This is who the Angels got back for Luis Garcia: Ryan Zeferjahn, Matthew Lugo, Yeferson Vargas, Niko Kavadas.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) July 30, 2024
Garcia, 37, is a 12-year MLB veteran who has posted a 4.02 ERA over 530 big league appearances dating back to 2013. This year the Dominican Republic native has a 3.71 ERA and four saves in 43.2 innings over 45 appearances with the Angels.
Garcia is the second reliever to join the Red Sox on Tuesday, joining ex-Cincinnati righty Lucas Sims. The two join a beleaguered Red Sox bullpen that has come apart at the seams since the All-Star break and should provide badly needed reinforcements while Chris Martin, Justin Slaten and Liam Hendriks all work their way back from injury.
Of the prospects given up in the deal, Lugo was the most accomplished. The 23-year-old infielder was ranked as Boston’s No. 13 prospect according to SoxProspects.com and was enjoying a breakout season in which he batted .285 with 16 home runs and a .942 OPS in 78 games across Double-A and Triple-A.
Lugo, Zeferjhan and Kavadas were all due to become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this offseason, while Vargas is a 19-year-old righty who was signed for $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic as an international free agent in late 2022 who was just recently called up to Low-A Salem.