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Angels Reportedly Acquiring Luis Garcis & Andrew Chafin From Nationals

Originally posted on Angels Nation | By Ron Gutterman | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 2:14 PM ET

The Los Angeles Angels are in a tricky, yet all too familiar, position of deciding if they are going to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. The Halos are better than expected, only four games out of the American League Wild Card race, but still below .500 on the year.

But after winning three games in a row, it appears the Angels have their answer. General manager Perry Minasian and company are going to buy at the trade deadline. They begin this process by acquiring two relievers from the Washington Nationals in familiar face Luis Garcia and left-hander Andrew Chafin, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:

The Los Angeles Angels are acquiring right-handed reliever Luis Garcia in a trade with the Washington Nationals, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2025

Angels acquiring LHP Andrew Chafin from Nationals, source tells @TheAthletic.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2025

The Angels are reportedly sending back Jake Eder and Sam Brown — neither top 30 prospects — to Washington, according to Rosenthal:

Nats also acquiring 1B Sam Brown from Angels with LHP Jake Eder in Chafin-García deal, source says

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2025

This deal comes on the heels of, as previously mentioned, a three-game winning streak for the Halos. It also comes off of comments from players like Kenley Jansen, Taylor Ward and Mike Trout that showed a willingness by the clubhouse to push the chips towards competing this season.

The Angels have been faced with this type of decision before, chose to buy and had it almost immediately backfire with a significant losing streak. One could argue that this year’s team is better than 2023, and that without having to give up a single top-30 prospect, the Angels found a way to improve their bullpen depth.

Garcia — back with the Angels — struggled in a short stint with the L.A. Dodgers to begin 2025. But he found his footing with the Nationals, allowing only one run in his last 10 innings of work.

Chafin, 35, has also had a strong season with Washington. He has a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings of work. But he has now been dealt at five of the last six trade deadlines.

Where Angels bullpen stands after trade with Nationals

The Angels add two experienced and steady veterans to their bullpen with this trade, a part of their dlub that desperately needed reliable arms. The bullpen now projects to have the following players, with Ben Joyce and Robert Stephenson still on the IL:

Kenley Jansen
Reid Detmers
Ryan Zeferjahn
Hector Neris
Brock Burke
Hunter Strickland
Luis Garcia
Andrew Chafin

This article first appeared on Angels Nation and was syndicated with permission.

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