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HOUSTON – The Nationals traded two more veterans on one-year deals prior to today’s series finale against the Astros, sending relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García together to the Angels in exchange for two minor leaguers.
The trade, which was officially announced minutes before today’s game, sends two experienced bullpen arms acquired in-season to an Angels club trying to get into the American League wild card race and brings minor league left-hander Jake Eder and first baseman Sam Brown to the Nationals organization.
With roughly 28 hours to go until Thursday’s 6 p.m. Eastern trade deadline, interim general manager Mike DeBartolo is expected to be busy. He already dealt infielder Amed Rosario to the Yankees following Saturday night’s game in Minnesota, and he’s still shopping three more veterans on expiring contracts in Kyle Finnegan, Josh Bell and Paul DeJong. DeBartolo also appears willing to listen to offers for players who remain under club control beyond this season, including first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and staff ace MacKenzie Gore, who starts this afternoon against Houston.
Chafin and García both were mid-season pickups by the Nationals, who desperately needed bullpen help at the time. Chafin, 35, joined the club in early May and wound up posting a 2.70 ERA in 26 appearances facing mostly left-handed hitters. García, 38, just joined the club three weeks ago as DeBartolo’s first official acquisition after replacing longtime GM Mike Rizzo and immediately paid dividends with only one run allowed in 10 appearances.
Given their rental status, Chafin and García did not bring back a significant haul, but both Eder and Brown give the Nats young players who could ultimately develop into big leaguers.
Eder, 26, does have some major league experience, pitching nine games of relief for the White Sox and Angels over the last two seasons. Rated as Los Angeles’ 24th best prospect, the lefty has been a starter throughout his minor league career, posting a 5.30 ERA and 1.468 WHIP in 66 outings, 22 of them coming at Triple-A. He averages more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings but also averages 4.1 walks.
Brown, 23, did not rank among the Angels’ top 30 prospects. A 12th-round pick in 2023 out of Washington State, he has spent his entire minor league career at Double-A, slashing .226/.320/.325 with 35 doubles, nine homers and 93 RBIs in 218 games.
With both Chafin and García headed to Anaheim, the Nationals recalled Zach Brzykcy from Triple-A Rochester minutes before today’s game. The right-hander joined the club here in Houston earlier this week in case they made any deals involving relievers. The club is playing today’s game with 25 active players, down one man in the bullpen.
