An area of focus going into the offseason for the Baltimore Orioles was and is the bullpen.
An area that struggled but was originally supposed to be a position of strength, the Birds have made it one of their top priorities this offseason now that they have secured their new manager in Craig Albernaz.
Taking a first step in reorganizing that bullpen is the re-signing of 31-year-old journey man reliever, right-hander Rico Garcia.
Garcia returned for his second stint with the Birds last season and appeared in 20 games, covering 19 innings. He did allow 21 hits and six earned runs but posted a 2.84 ERA and struck out 20 batters while posting a 0.6 WAR during his time in Baltimore.
Garcia was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2016 and made his major league debut in 2019. He has also pitched for the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals, New York Mets and New York Yankees, as well as the Orioles back in 2022 before his return.
Through his five-year career, he has appeared in 59 games (two starts), posting a 1-4 record across 70 innings with a 5.27 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. The Hawaii native has struck out a total of 59 batters while walking 28 and has posted an ERA+ of 88, FIP of 5.65 and WAR of 0.3.
If Garcia can return to the form like he did last season for the Birds and produce key outs in critical moments, he will provide a crucial arm to a pen that is in search of rebounding and being rebuilt after a difficult 2025.
Garcia’s deal is for $900,000 while in the major leagues and $225,000 while in the minors.
Also returning to the Orioles next season is utility infielder Luis Vázquez.
The 26-year-old Puerto Rican native hit .160 in 32 games, with a home run and three RBIs, starting six games at shortstop, four at third base and three at second base last season.
Welcome back to Birdland, Rico Garcia and Luis Vázquez!
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