Mets Monday Morning GM: 3 trade targets who make more sense now than they did a month ago

3) Luis Garcia

Already a rumored Mets trade target, Los Angeles Angels reliever Luis Garcia doesn’t have a whole lot of name recognition other than the fact that there are two other well-known players in MLB right now with his shared name. He’s 5-1 with a 3.71 ERA and on an expiring deal with the Angels. Why has he become a better fit for the Mets? Look at what it’s costing to get pitchers like Carlos Estevez and Jason Adam.

Two of the Angels’ top 10 prospects right now came from the Philadelphia Phillies for Estevez. The Adam deal, because of his control, was even pricier. A top 100 prospect, Dylan Lesko, plus two more guys who fell into the Tampa Bay Rays top 30 were delivered by the San Diego Padres for his services.

The price on the heads of relief pitchers is insane right now. Garcia shouldn’t be significantly more than what the Mets gave up for Ryne Stanek.

Garcia has been a somewhat under-the-radar reliever for a couple of seasons. He managed to pitch in the postseason for the 2021 St. Louis Cardinals and for the Padres in 2022. For those curious, he had a shutout inning in the NLWC against the Mets. He finished off Game One.

There are a ton of players the Mets can add to their bullpen before the trade deadline clock strikes 6pm. Garcia, unlike some other targets, shouldn’t deflate the farm system. Use those pieces for a starting pitcher and/or someone of the Tanner Scott breed.