The Astros have claimed infielder Robel Garcia off waivers, the Angels announced (Twitter link). The Halos designated Garcia for assignment earlier this week. Justin Verlander was placed on the Astros’ 60-day injured list to create roster space for Garcia, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
Garcia is no stranger to the waiver wire at this point, as he is now joining his fifth different organization since July. Initially DFA’ed by the Cubs on July 23, Garcia was claimed and then subsequently designated by the Reds, Mets, and Angels, with Los Angeles just picking Garcia up at the start of February.
Is there a chance Garcia could finally stick in Houston? He offers some versatility as a utility infielder (who has also spent some time in left field), though Almedys Diaz and Abraham Toro already provide a lot of multi-positional depth on the Astros’ bench. Toro hasn’t yet shown much at the plate over 186 Major League plate appearances, however, so the Astros could see Garcia as a potential option if Toro is sent to Triple-A.
Garcia’s big league resume consists of 80 PA over 31 games with the Cubs in 2019, when he hit .208/.275/.500 with five home runs. His unique minor league career included four years in the Indians’ farm system from 2010-13 before taking three years away from baseball and then resurfacing in the Italian Baseball League in 2017. This led to a minors deal with the Cubs in 2019, and some very big numbers at the Double-A and Triple-A levels prior to his call-up. Garcia doesn’t turn 28 years old until next month, so he presents some intrigue as a late-blooming power bat.
Who else is just sitting here waiting for something big to happen
I’m out here waiting for a David Fletcher extension
Angles will spend money on overpaying Jake Orderizi than will watch ruin him.
not going to happen this year. Better chance of it happening next year after Pujols contract is off the books,
Trashtros.
With a ring and a banner baby!!!
Haven’t heard that one before.
That everyone laughs at.
Hopefully in scorn rather then actual humor, otherwise I disagree that it’s funny.
I like obvious humor under the right circumstances and with the right set-up, but without any creativity it falls flat.
The OP is just that IMO and thus comes off as being quite dull.
That MLB recognizes as official.
Good thing for Astro players we live in “the pu$$y generation”, in the”greatest generation” all Astro players would be plunked everyday until get the sense to retire. EVERYDAY.
but alas, I live with a bunch of pu$$ies.
Damn I wish I was on the Astros then. I’d have over a .500 OBP
How many teams this dude been on this offseason, man
Im pretty certain that there aren’t too many alumni of the Italian Baseball League floating around in the majors.
Junior Guerra played there and also in Spain
Bang those cans boys
Hopefully to another title!!!
herecomdatboi –
Continue with that tired narrative, boy. How many more years are people going to keep feeling the need to mention that any time the Astros are mentioned? Move on with your life already! Good god!
It’s been one “season” since the story broke. This IS the punishment they’re getting. They’re going to be a joke for a while. Deal with it.
For a long, looooonnnng while.
And they will have a title For a long, loooooonnng while.
@baseballpun
Ironically for you the people you hope to upset have dealt with it. We read the multiple statisical reports that suggest the system hurt us, we saw Boston do the same thing minus the cans and everyone ignore it, and we saw players from every era laugh and mention they did it too. So we’re good with it and our ring. Have yall dealt with your misplaced outrage yet? Lol. Bang bang we’re about to win it all again.
That guarantees at least one Angels loss at the hands of Robel Garcia, who will have a big game or get a game winning hit at some point in the season versus LAA.
Ha ha. Good one
Makes no sense by itself. Garcia is clearly inferior to both Diaz and Toro, both offensively and defensively. Trade for a CF on the horizon with one of those two being moved?
I think the original press release said Mike Trout not Robel Garcia…
Garcia can play the corner OF and has some power. Not a terrible player to bring to camp
Damn, Garcia is being passed around more than a beach ball at a Nickelback concert!
This is how you remind me…
I will always be Astro’s fan butNot really impressed. Wonder what Houston will look like this year. Pitching not sure on. Verlander probably will not go. Not sure time on his TJ surgery. Greinke not sure how much in tank. But players with no Springer and will Correa tackle the market next year. Could be looking for new manager after this season. Just not sure how much more Baker will go and think signed an extension through this season only. I wish Astro’s well. Maybe no drama with them like with Texans and Rockets
They have the best lineup in the AL and above average pitching. They will be fine.
Raise your hand if your waiting for Shane Green odorizzi Hamels encarnacion and braun to sign.
Greene, Odorizzi, and Hamels, yes. Braun is basically done unless the Brewers have a change of heart. Encarnacion is a victim of the numbers crunch created by no DH in the NL this season. Maybe he gets a minor league deal after the season begins. If not, someone else will get to lead the league in STD’s this year
Next The Astros are going to claim Morgan Ensberg off waivers from The Montgomery Biscuits. Talk about bottom feeding…
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