Angels Revamp Bullpen with Luis Garcia and Andrew Chafin From Nationals: Are They Playoff Bound Now?

By Oliver Wiener July 31, 2025 17:41

The Los Angeles Angels made a notable bullpen upgrade on July 30, 2025, acquiring veteran relievers Luis Garcia and Andrew Chafin from the Washington Nationals in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jake Eder and Double-A first baseman Sam Brown. This trade underscores the Angels’ intent to bolster their pitching staff as they push to end their postseason drought, which has now stretched over a decade .

Luis Garcia, 38, returned to the Angels for a third stint after previously pitching for them in 2019 and early 2024. Despite a rocky start this season with the Dodgers resulting in a 5.27 ERA over 28 games, Garcia rejuvenated his performance after signing with the Nationals, posting an impressive 0.90 ERA in 10 outings. His veteran presence and right-handed experience are expected to bring stability to an Angels bullpen ranked 22nd in ERA and 27th in Win Probability Added this year .

Andrew Chafin, 35, arrives as a left-handed specialist with significant experience across several major league teams, marking his eighth MLB organization in 12 seasons. This season, Chafin has maintained a solid 2.70 ERA over 26 appearances. While his strikeout (20.5%) and walk (13.6%) rates are a bit underwhelming in 2025 compared to his career averages, his overall track record includes a 3.39 ERA, a nearly 48% groundball rate, and valuable playoff experience. His ability to neutralize left-handed hitters is a critical asset for the Angels, especially given the division's power-laden lineups.

General Manager Perry Minasian highlighted the urgency behind the acquisitions: “We are committed to improving our bullpen as we approach the crucial final stretch of the season. Luis and Andrew bring us experience, versatility, and a fresh injection of reliability that our pen desperately needs.” The Angels have been hovering close to a wild-card playoff berth, sitting just four games shy with a 53-55 record, and this move reflects a willingness to ‘buy’ in hopes of contending rather than selling off assets for future years.

The Nationals received prospects Jake Eder, a 26-year-old lefty with minor league struggles (6.11 ERA in 11 starts for Triple-A Salt Lake), and Sam Brown, a 23-year-old Double-A first baseman batting .244 with a .708 OPS. This trade can be seen as a classic “win-now” move by the Angels, sacrificing some future potential for immediate bullpen reinforcement.

Manager Dan Wilson expressed optimism: “Adding Luis and Andrew gives us more depth and matchup flexibility in the bullpen, something we’ve lacked. Their postseason experience should help with the mental toughness we need down the stretch.” The bullpen has been a glaring weakness for the Angels this season, and this tandem’s presence could be pivotal in late-inning situations against tough AL West offenses.

However, while the move boosts the Angels' bullpen, analysts caution that the overall playoff odds remain slim, with advanced metrics suggesting about a 3% chance to make the postseason. The underlying challenge is that these acquisitions, neither considered front-line relievers nor future stars, represent incremental upgrades rather than transformative ones. Still, given the team’s position four games out of a wild card spot and on a three-game winning streak heading into August, optimism is warranted even if tempered by realism.

In sum, the Angels’ acquisition of Luis Garcia and Andrew Chafin is a clear signal that they intend to be buyers at the trade deadline, hoping these experienced arms will stabilize their bullpen. This trade improves their chances to weather the AL West's tough competition in the final two months. Whether it’s enough to push them back into postseason contention after an 11-year drought remains uncertain, but it certainly represents a decisive step toward that goal.

This trade mirrors a broader theme in 2025 MLB strategy: teams on the playoff bubble strengthen veteran depth while balancing risks to their farm systems, betting on pitching reliability to carry them through October.