Toronto Blue Jays Sign Relief Pitcher Yimi Garcia

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Toronto Blue Jays and free-agent reliever Yimi Garcia have come to an agreement on a two-year contract.  Morosi credited former Major Leaguer Carlos Baerga with breaking the news.

TSN’S Scott Mitchell reported that the deal is a two-year deal worth $11 Million and has a club option for an additional season.

Garcia started the 2021 season with the Miami Marlins where he was the club’s closer and posted a 3-7 record with a 3.47 ERA while picking up 15 saves over 39 appearances before being traded.  The Astros acquired Garcia at the trade deadline and he was effective in his role in the bullpen despite having a 5.48 ERA which was ballooned by one appearance.  In the postseason, Garcia was heavily relied on as he appeared in 10 games and although he allowed seven earned runs, they all came in two outings.  During the World Series, Garcia made four appearances (four innings) and did not yield any runs, while allowing just one hit.

The Dominican Republic born pitcher signed with the Marlines prior to the 2020 COVID season but pitched in just 14 games as he battled injuries throughout August.  When he was on the mound he was dominant and allowed just one run over 15 innings while striking out 19.

The Toronto Blue Jays added to their bullpen by signing free-agent right-hander Yimi Garcia to a two-year contract late yesterday evening.

Garcia comes with seven years of big-league experience, with the majority of his time spent with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Over the course of his career he has made  241 appearances posting a 3.60 RA and 1.029 WHIP.  Garcia has just one season where his WHIP was over 1.21, which was an injury-riddled 2018 campaign.

The 31-year old has five pitches in his arsenal, which he relies mostly on a 96mph four-seam fastball and a 90mph slider.  Garcia can mix in a curveball, sinker and change up on occasion as well.

The Garcia signing looks to be a quality acquisition as he joins a bullpen that already features Jordan Romano, Adam Cimber, Tim Mayza, and Trevor Richards which is leaps ahead compared to the relief corps to begin the 2021 season.

What do you think of the signing?