ARLINGTON, Texas — In 12 seasons in the big leagues, Luis Garcia has taken part in the postseason just twice — once with St. Louis in 2021 and again with the San Diego Padres in 2022.
Now that he’s a member of the Red Sox, having been dealt to Boston from the Los Angeles Angels minutes before the trade deadline Tuesday, he sees a chance to get back to playing in October again.
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“I guess that’s why I’m here — so we can make it to the playoffs and all the way to the World Series,” said Garcia, who joined the Red Sox here Friday. “(Pitching in the postseason) is definitely different. The adrenaline is way more higher. I want to feel that again.”
The Red Sox needed bullpen reinforcements, and those needs were heightened by injuries to Chris Martin and Justin Slaten. Garcia figured he could likely be traded by the Angels, hopelessly out of contention, and was happy to learn that he was being shipped to Boston.
He’s familiar with a couple of members of the organizations. He was teammates with Andrew Bailey in Philadelphia, and later, Bailey served as the Angels’ bullpen coach during Garcia’s first stint there in 2019. He also recalls the beginning of his pro career when he threw to an aspiring catcher in the Dodgers’ organization — current closer Kenley Jansen.
“I’m old,” he said with a chuckle, recalling his first interaction with Jansen. “But it’s good to be with people that you know.”
Garcia knows a little about Red Sox history. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, his father was a big Red Sox fan and followed them closely. Luis followed along, fans of not only fellow Dominicans Pedro Martinez and Manny Ramirez, but also, Curt Schilling.
Now, another generation of Red Sox players have replaced his heroes.
“I hope (my experience) can help a lot,” he said. “I’m here to help the team as best I can, and help the young guys, too. Whatever they put me, I’lll be happy to help the team.”
“We feel like we have a better bullpen than two days ago,” said Alex Cora, “and we’re going to keep getting better. Luis is a veteran. He’s throwing the ball well. We’ll find him some lanes against righties. It’s good to have velo in the bullpen, that’s for sure.”
