“I’m excited,” Garcia said after a mid-day workout. “I love the team and the city. It was never about anything more than making sure I got the kind of deal that was right for me.”
The “it” he refers to was an outrageous demand of something above $10M prior to the free agency deadline, a demand that the team politely declined. Instead, the team proceeded to operate as if it was assumed Garcia would be playing for another team, acquiring RHB Carlos Camacho from Brooklyn and taking another RHB center fielder in Tatoul Kyapanaksian during the Rule 5 draft.
“It was clear that the team was sending Carlos Garcia a message,” said ESPN analyst Gayle Combs. “We love you, but not $10M worth.”
The eventual deal was said to be for $6.75M next year with a mutual option open for 2037. Garcia is expected to platoon with Mauro Saucedo again this season, a role that he succeeded in to a considerable degree, posting a .324 OBP despite an ugly looking .205 average. He stole 27 bases in 33 attempts, and also posted a solid defensive season—which is key for the club. All total, his 1.3 WAR built in 244 PA represents one of his better seasons when looked at as a WAR/PA basis. His 247 stolen bases makes currently #3 on the club’s all-time career leader board behind John F. Kennedy (307) and Lucas McNeill (379).
“Carlos is a very good player,” GM Ron Collins said. “He’s an important part of the success we’ve had, and we’re glad to have him back.
The signing does throw into some question what the team will do with Camacho and Kyapanaksian, as the team will now need to open a spot on their 40-man roster for Garcia. Both are apparently being shopped, and one assumes that Kyapanaksian would be sent back to Wichita if a deal can’t be found.
