The Houston Astros have acquired RHP Yimi Garcia from the Miami Marlins in exchange for OF Bryan De La Cruz and RHP Austin Pruitt.
The Astros already have acquired Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero, and now they add Garcia to their bullpen. The right-handed reliever has been very effective in years past but has just been about league average in 2021. However, if not for rough outings on July 4th and June 2nd, Garcia would have a 1.80 ERA. That is a lot closer to where he was in 2020, when Garcia allowed just one run over 15 innings of work. His value could have increased as a result of him having 15 saves as the closer of the Marlins. He has a weak .482 xSLG against and a 4.63 xERA.
Garcia, 30, has a 3.47 ERA with 35 strikeouts and a 1.211 WHIP in 36.1 innings for Miami this year. In his MLB career for the Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers, Garcia has a 3.41 ERA with 220 strikeouts and a 1.024 WHIP in 211 innings.
The Marlins have made two big trades today and they won both of them. Getting Jesus Luzardo for Starling Marte was a steal. Now, they get a fine outfield prospect for Garcia. De La Cruz has never been much more than a decent OBP player in the minors but he has exploded in AAA this year. He is on pace for career bests in the toughest league he has ever played in. Pruitt is just an add-on. The former Rays starter and reliever was recently DFA’d by Houston.
De La Cruz, 24, has hit 12 home runs with a .362 OBP and an .880 OPS in 293 Plate Appearances for AAA Sugar Land this year. In his minor league career he has hit 28 home runs with 37 stolen bases, a .346 OBP, and a .737 OPS in 2045 Plate Appearances.
Pruitt, 31, has allowed two runs with a strikeout in 2.2 innings for Houston this year. In his MLB career for the Astros and Tampa Bay Rays, Pruitt has a 4.89 ERA with 148 strikeouts and a 1.359 WHIP in 202.1 innings pitched.
CarterHud 