2026 Transactions: Mets Sign Garcia, Angels Bring Back Moncada

This winter, the Mets have rebuilt their bullpen, drained thanks to free agent defections & injuries, by bringing in Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. Luis Garcia, who pitched very well down the stretch in 2025, will join that group for 2026.

Mets add another reliever

The Mets signed reliever Luis Garcia to a one-year deal on January 21.

It’s a one-year deal for Garcia, the 38-year-old reliever who split 2025 between the Dodgers, Nationals, and Angels. Garcia posted an ERA above 5.00 with Los Angeles (NL) but allowed just one run over 10 innings with the Nats. He finished 2025 with the Angels, where he notched two saves and posted a 2.00 ERA over 18 innings.

Garcia’s arsenal includes a hard sinker that averaged 96.9 MPH last season, a sweeper, and a splitter.

Infielder Tsung-Che Cheng was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Moncada re-signs with Angels

Per multiple reports, including the New York Post, the Angels will re-sign infielder Yoan Moncada to a one-year deal worth $4MM.

The 30-year-old had injury problems last season, which limited him to 84 games. However, he was very productive when healthy. Moncada picked 27 extra-base hits, 12 of which were home runs, and a .784 OPS for the Angels.

Moncada’s return shores up third base for the Angels, as Long Angeles didn’t have a clear front-runner for the hot corner before the move. Additionally, the move also gives the Angels another non-right-handed hitting bat (Moncada is a switch-hitter).

Red Sox & Twins make trade

The Twins acquired infielder Tristan Gray in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. Minnesota sent Minor League C/1B Nate Baez to the Red Sox.

Gray, a 29-year-old infielder, was acquired from the Rays back in November, a deal that sent Luis Guerrero to Tampa. As we noted in November, Gray hit a lot of home runs in his Minor League career.

The 29-year-old showed a lot of swing-and-miss in brief MLB stints, and that also rang true in Triple-A. Gray posted a 30.6% Whiff% last season in Triple-A.

Boston cleared a 40-man roster spot for Ranger Suarez, who was officially signed on the 21st.

Baez, a 12th-round pick out of Arizona State in 2022, had a nice overall year between High-A and Low. The 24-year-old slashed .278/.371/.423 between Cedar Rapids and Wichita. With the Kernals, Baez posted a .910 OPS over 45 games, buoyed by a .457 on-base percentage.

Low Whiff% (24.4%) in High-A, as well as a 59.3% take rate that ranked among the 30 highest in the Midwest League this past year.

Other moves

The Dodgers designated outfielder Michael Siani for assignment. It was a corresponding move for Kyle Tucker, who officially became a Dodger on January 21.