Nationals acquire four right-handed pitchers for first baseman Luis García Jr.
Washington traded first baseman Luis García Jr. to New York for right-handed pitchers Yovanny Cruz, Jake Bird, Jack Cebert and Ben Grable, adding depth to its bullpen as it seeks more pitching prospects.
The New York Yankees received first baseman Luis García Jr. from the Washington Nationals in exchange for four right-handed pitchers: Yovanny Cruz, Jake Bird, Jack Cebert and Ben Grable. García, a platoon first baseman who is in the midst of a career-high season with 23 home runs, will join a Yankees lineup that can pair him with Paul Goldschmidt for right-handed matchups.
Washington’s return includes Cebert, a 23-year-old who was a 15th-round pick last year and has shown a strong slider with a 41 percent whiff rate at High-A and Double-A. The Nationals could initially use him as a starter before transitioning him to a fastball-slider reliever if needed.
Grable, an 11th-round pick and former graduate-student pitcher, is a pure reliever who throws a fastball reaching 99 mph and a slider, posting a 37 percent whiff rate at the same levels. The organization views him as ready for Triple-A and a potential call-up later in the season.
Cruz, who debuted this year for the Yankees after moving through four organizations, now throws a 100-mph fastball and a plus slider, with a reduced walk rate below 10 percent. He is considered a candidate for high-leverage relief roles.
Bird, the most experienced of the group, relies on a sinker/sweeper combination that has been more effective against right-handed hitters. He is under contract through 2028, giving the Nationals a longer-term option.
The trade addresses Washington’s need for pitching depth, as its farm system is heavily weighted toward position players following recent drafts and acquisitions. By moving García while he still has more than a year before free agency, the Nationals aim to maximize return and bolster their bullpen for future contention.