Braves Acquire Freddy Garcia from Baltimore

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In something that has to been viewed as a just-in-case move, the Atlanta Braves have received their second pitcher from Baltimore this year:  veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia (Luis Ayala was added in mid-April), according to Orioles’ sources and reported on the mlbtraderumors.com site.

Garcia, 36, has been in the majors since 1999 and is now (as of today) with his ninth different organization (White Sox twice).  He was both in Baltimore and Norfolk (their AAA affiliate) this year… and most recently with the latter, posting an 8-3 record and a 2.84 ERA over 82 innings.

This tweet answers the next obvious question:

"Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman The #Braves have acquired Freddy Garcia from the Orioles for cash considerations. Garcia will be sent to Gwinnett."

So he’s not replacing anyone on the major league roster at this point.  Regardless, he’s available in the event that the Braves either get really bad news from Brandon Beachy‘s visit to see Dr. Andrews or even if Beachy is out for a while and something else happens in the meantime.  Being added before September 1st, Garcia could be added to the playoff roster if needed.

In his major league appearances this year (May 4-June 23), Garcia has struggled:  3-5 record in 53 innings with a 5.77 ERA (6.71 FIP).  He’s striking out only 4-5 per 9 innings; walking half that many.  The home run ball has been his downfall – serving up nearly one for every three innings pitched.  In making this deal, Garcia was not subject to waiver considerations as he was not on the Orioles’ 40-man list.  For this reason, he also need not yet be added to the Braves’ 40-man roster.

Over his lengthy career, Garcia has compiled a 155-106 record with a lifetime ERA in the majors of 4.18.  His last “good” year was with the Yankees in 2011:  12-8 / 3.62 in 146.2 innings.  Since entering the league, Freddy ranks 14th in Wins (Tim Hudson is first with 205), 16th in starts (370; Hudson first again – 426), and 18th in innings pitched (2236.2; Tim’s 3rd behind Livan Hernandez on that list).