The New York Mets continue to bolster their bullpen with experienced arms, officially inking veteran reliever Luis Garcia to a one-year, $1.75 million deal that could reach $3 million with incentives. It’s a classic low-risk, potentially high-reward move for a team clearly aiming to make noise in 2026.
Garcia, a well-traveled right-hander with 13 years of big-league experience, is coming off a rollercoaster 2025 campaign that saw him pitch for three different clubs. He began the year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who had signed him to a minor league deal before spring training. But when injuries hit L.A.'s bullpen early, Garcia was called up and thrust into action.
He made 28 appearances for the Dodgers, logging 27.1 innings with a 5.27 ERA. While those numbers don’t jump off the page, context matters: Garcia was often pitching in high-leverage situations during a stretch when the Dodgers were scrambling for healthy arms. He didn’t convert his lone save chance and struggled to find consistency before a right adductor strain landed him on the 15-day injured list on June 1.
After a month on the shelf, the Dodgers designated him for assignment and ultimately released him. But Garcia’s season was far from over.
The Washington Nationals scooped him up shortly after, and that’s when things started to turn. In 10 appearances for Washington, Garcia was lights out, posting a 0.90 ERA.
That performance caught the attention of the Los Angeles Angels, who traded for him at the deadline in exchange for two prospects. Garcia continued his resurgence in Anaheim, putting up a 2.00 ERA over 20 games.
By the time the dust settled on 2025, Garcia had pitched in 58 games across three teams, finishing with a solid 3.42 ERA over 55.1 innings. Not bad for a guy who started the year on a minor league deal. And while his time with the Dodgers was short-lived, he’ll still be receiving a World Series ring after their championship run last fall.
Garcia’s career has been defined by resilience and adaptability. Since debuting with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013, he’s suited up for eight different teams, carving out a niche as a dependable middle reliever. During his time in Philly - which lasted through 2018 - he made 251 appearances, striking out 223 batters over 244.2 innings with a 4.12 ERA.
From there, it’s been a tour of the majors: Angels, Rangers, Cardinals, Padres, back to the Angels, then a brief stint with the Red Sox in 2024. Now, he’s headed to Queens, looking to bring some veteran stability to a Mets bullpen that’s been reshaped this offseason.
Across his 603 career appearances, Garcia owns a 4.07 ERA in 583.1 innings - numbers that reflect the kind of longevity and reliability teams crave in a reliever. While he’s not a headline-grabbing closer, Garcia has shown he can be a valuable piece in a contending bullpen, especially when he’s healthy and locked in.
For the Mets, this is another calculated addition in what’s shaping up to be a busy winter. They’ve made it clear they’re not content to sit back and wait for things to click - they’re actively building a roster that can compete. Garcia’s signing might not dominate the back pages, but come summer, he could be a key cog in a bullpen that’s asked to protect plenty of late leads.
And for Garcia, it’s another chance to prove he still has plenty left in the tank - and maybe, just maybe, add another ring to his résumé.