While fans can debate about how much the Boston Red Sox were able to get done at the MLB trade deadline, first-year Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow made the bullpen a focus on Tuesday. His latest move comes in the form of right-handed relief pitcher Luis Garcia, following a deal with the Los Angeles Angels, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network and the New York Post.
The 12-year veteran is 5-1 with a 3.71 ERA in 45 appearances for the Halos this season. He should be an immediate upgrade for a Red Sox pen that is frighteningly thin right now. Breslow is sending back outfielder Matthew Lugo (No. 17 prospect in Boston's system) pitchers Ryan Zeferjahn and Yeferson Vargas and infielder Niko Kavadas, according to The Athletic's Sam Blum.
Giving up four prospects for a rental reliever typically warrants skepticism, but it is unclear the long-term role that any of the aforementioned players, besides Lugo, can occupy in the near future. Time will tell if the front office miscalculated Garcia's value. Nevertheless, swift action was necessary and concessions will inevitably be made in a seller's market.
Has the cavalry finally arrived for Red Sox?
Much of Red Sox Nation is wondering why additions like this one were not completed last week, though, as it was painfully obvious to those remotely tapped into this team that reinforcements were desperately needed.
But better late than never. Boston is only one game behind the Kansas City Royals– who had an active afternoon in their own right– for an American League Wild Card berth. Acquiring both Garcia and fellow righty Lucas Sims should ideally allow this ballclub to at least tread water until Chris Martin and rookie Justin Slaten return form the injured list.
Perhaps they pay bigger dividends than even that, however, and nudge the Sox into October for the first time since 2021. Optimism for such a crucial achievement would surely be higher if Craig Breslow pulled off a trade for Tanner Scott or Jack Flaherty, but expectations have to be tempered under these current conditions. Boston is not currently a big-time buyer.
The team is moving in the right direction, though. And that is not something to take for granted after these last couple of years. The crop of new pitchers coming to Fenway Park, which also includes former first-round pick Quinn Priester, have a chance to help the Red Sox continue to claw their way back towards relevancy.
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