The Los Angeles Angels are making a run at the 2025 MLB playoffs.
The Angels confirmed Wednesday, July 30, 2025 that they are trading for former Washington Nationals relief pitchers Luis Garcia and Andrew Chafin. MLB insiders like Bob Nightengale say this indicates that the Angels are buyers at the 2025 Deadline.
That would mean the Angels are loading up in an attempt to make a 2025 playoff run. The Angels have only made the playoffs once in superstar OF Mike Trout’s MLB career and have never won a playoff game with Trout.
Los Angeles is sending LHP Jake Eder and minor league 1B Sam Brown back to Washington in the deal.
The Angels, who currently have a 53-55 record, sit 4 games back of the last American League Wild Card spot and 8 games back of the American League West leading Houston Astros.
The strategy came as a total surprise to Angels fans, but they’re all excited to see the Halos try to finally return to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
How Do Garcia, Chafin Help The Angels?
Luis Garcia and Andrew Chafin are both older, experienced relievers who have had excellent seasons thus far with the Nationals.
Chafin, 35, will be on his eighth team when he joins the Angels. He is in the midst of one of the best seasons of his career.
In 26 games with the Nationals, Chafin has a 2.70 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 20 innings. He’s always been a solid reliever, never an All-Star, but sporting a career 3.39 ERA.
When Garcia joins the Angels, it will actually be his third stint as a Halo. The journeyman right-hander, 38, pitched for Los Angeles in 2019 and 2024.
In Garcia, the Angels are buying in on his hot streak. He got off to a rough start to the season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but in 10 games with the Nationals, he has a 0.90 ERA.
Both players pose an upgrade in experience and performance over Eder, who has a 4.91 ERA in 8 big league games this season. The Nationals are clearly buying into Eder’s potential over performance.
The Angels also DFA’d Jose Quijada to open a second roster spot. Quijada had a 4.24 ERA in seven seasons with Los Angeles.
What Other Moves Could the Angels Make?
This aggressive, win-now move by the Angels probably takes all of their perceived Trade Deadline chips off the table, such as OF Taylor Ward, P Tyler Anderson, P Kenley Jansen and IF Luis Rengifo.
The Angels have solid but not spectacular starting pitching, so they could make a move in that department. Sandy Alcantara would be a shocking but overall low-risk, high reward player for the Halos to bring in.
Los Angeles could also look to upgrade their infield depth behind Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel. More additions in the bullpen are also always possible.
Angels fans shouldn’t expect them to add any pieces in the outfield or at catcher, two positions of strength for the Halos.
Angels fans, are you excited about this trade? What other moves do you want to see them make?
Los Angeles Angels Shockingly Show Intent to Compete For Playoffs With Trade