Every once in a while, a fleecing comes along so great that it makes you rub your eyes in disbelief. For the Angels, a team not known for their shrewd moves, such a deal came to fruition at last year’s trade deadline. As the months have worn on, the deal only looks better and better for the Halos.
To the chagrin of many, the Angels were not very active at the trade deadline despite being well outside the playoff picture. The club chose to only move a pair of relievers on expiring deals, trading Carlos Estevez to the Phillies and Luis Garcia to the Red Sox. While the Estevez trade has solid potential to work out, neither of the top pitching prospects acquired, Sam Aldegheri and George Klassen, has made any sort of big league impact yet, however, the Garcia trade is proving to be a straight up robbery
Despite a lengthy career, Garcia never really distinguished himself as an elite reliever. After spending the first six years of his career with the Phillies, the right-hander bounced around the league, landing with the Angels in 2024 for the second time in his career.
The Halos parlayed 43.2 innings of 3.71 ERA ball from Garcia into a package that included then-unknown righty reliever Ryan Zeferjahn, a well-regarded infield/outfield prospect in Matthew Lugo, a lottery ticket in 20-year-old hurler Yeferson Vargas, and a potential depth piece in first baseman Niko Kavadas.
