Friday morning update: Multiple reports say the Twins and Braves are still discussing the parameters of a trade that would send left-handed starter Jaime Garcia to Minnesota.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports that the deal is not done, and that Atlanta is still talking to other teams about Garcia.
Source: Jaime Garcia to the Twins is not a done deal. In fact, source said other teams are still talking to the Braves about Garcia.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 21, 2017
Original story
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Twins have acquired left-handed starter Jamie Garcia from the Atlanta Braves. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports was the first to report the Twins were acquiring Garcia.
Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com notes Minnesota will send a minor leaguer to Atlanta in exchange for Garcia.
Garcia is 3-7 this year with an ERA of 4.33. In 106 innings this season, Garcia has struck out 81 batters and has issued 40 walks. In nine big league seasons, the veteran has a career record of 65-52 and an ERA of 3.65.
He previously pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals for eight seasons, helping St. Louis to a World Series ring in 2011.
Garcia is making $12 million this season and will be a free agent at the end of it.
Garcia would be an upgrade over starters such as Kyle Gibson and Hector Santiago, however it is a bit strange that Minnesota is targeting a “rental” player.
The Twins’ new regime of Derek Falvey and Thad Levine expressed this month that they want to target players who are under team control beyond the 2017 season.
Regardless, Garcia should make the team’s rotation better going forward.
