Marlins Agree to Deal With Former Dodgers Reliever Yimi Garcia
The Miami Marlins have been known as of late for trading away any and all talented players who are making anything above league minimum salaries.
The team is finally beginning to build again, and the latest move to add intriguing ex-Dodgers reliever Yimi Garcia is another example of that.
#Marlins are in agreement pending physical with reliever Yimi Garcia.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 12, 2019
Garcia debuted with the Dodgers in 2014 and was a regular reliever in 2019, appearing in 64 games with a 3.61 ERA.
And there's a lot to like about his peripherals, despite a recent DFA.
Don't let the fact that Yimi Garcia isn't a huge name distract you, the @Marlins just added a great RP:
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) December 12, 2019
13.9% SwSt on his FB (top 25)
98th percentile in FB spin, xBA, Hard Hit%
95th percentile in wOBA
While the SL doesn't put up elite whiff%, it pairs very well with the FB. pic.twitter.com/zG7ng51AzL
He represents a shift in strategy for the Marlins. The team is last in the league in payroll and the projected $10.4 million for the recently acquired Jonathan Villar would make him the highest-paid player on the team.
The team is coming off a 105-loss season and Garcia realistically joins the team as one of the better relief pitchers on the roster. He had a mark of 9.5 K/9 in 2019.
Going to Miami could allow him to emerge as a closer for the team, though that may mean he is traded before he can pitch in meaningful games for the Marlins.