Former Failed Red Sox Trade Addition Officially Joins New Team Just 4 Days After Latest Release

The Boston Red Sox may be looking to upgrade their roster ahead of this month’s trade deadline. But as Red Sox fans know, not all deadline deals are guaranteed to be a success. Midseason deals like sending Jeff Bagwell to the Houston Astros for Larry Andersen in 1990, acquiring Jason Bay in 2008 and dealing Jon Lester to the Oakland Athletics in 2014 rank among the worst in franchise history and many believe that the recent trade that sent Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants could end up in that category.

But one disastrous move from a year ago has continued to haunt a former Red Sox reliever and his failure in Boston has preceded a tough season that has him joining a new team just days after his latest release.

Former Red Sox Reliever Luis Garcia Signs With Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced on Wednesday that they have signed relief pitcher Luis García to a contract for the remainder of the 2025 season. The 38-year-old spent the first part of this season with the Los Angeles Dodgers but was released this week after posting a 5.27 ERA and 1.82 WHIP in 28 games (27.1 innings) this season. This came one day after reports that he still had to undergo a physical before officially joining the Nats.

Of course, a Red Sox fan could have told the Dodgers that adding the veteran right-hander was a bad idea. Boston sent four prospects to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for García at last year’s trade deadline in a disastrous attempt to save the bullpen. García appeared in 15 games for the Red Sox after the trade but never found his footing, posting a 8.22 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 15.1 innings (15 games).

The deal looked good at the time as García posted a 3.71 ERA in 45 appearances with the Angels before the trade and owns a 4.20 ERA over 573 career games. But the wheels have fallen off and Los Angeles came away as the winner adding outfielder Matthew Lugo, first baseman Niko Kavadas, right-handed pitcher Ryan Zeferjahn and right-handed pitching prospect Yeferson Vargas.

After failing with the Dodgers, García will look for another opportunity with the Nationals. Washington has been in the news after firing general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez on Sunday and the team is trying to stay afloat until more moves can be made at the end of the season.

Either way, García’s time in Boston and his struggles afterward are a cautionary tale ahead of the deadline. While the Red Sox will be looking for an upgrade, that’s not always guaranteed and could play a big role if they make a move in the coming weeks.