Free agent outfielder Avisaíl García is expected to miss the entire season, reports Francys Romero. The veteran underwent surgery in October that repaired a fracture and a disc injury in his lower back. While there was no initial timetable, Romero suggests that García is targeting a return in winter ball in his native Venezuela next offseason.
García signed a four-year, $53MM free agent deal with the Marlins over the 2021-22 offseason. That was a complete misfire on the part of Miami’s front office. García hit .217/.260/.322 in 153 games over two and a half seasons. Miami released him last June, a little more than halfway through the contract. He had hit .240/.255/.380 over 18 games in 2024.
The Marlins still owe García a decent chunk of money. He’ll collect a $12MM salary this year and will be paid a $5MM option buyout at season’s end. Sandy Alcantara’s $17MM salary is Miami’s only bigger commitment. García would have been limited to minor league offers if he were healthy. If his recovery goes as planned, he could pursue a non-roster invite to Spring Training in 2026. He’d be entering his age-35 season.
I too shall miss the 2025 season.
Never turned into “Mini-Miggy”, did he ?
He never even became Jesus Sanchez
I don’t like our odds of seeing Mr. Garcia on the field again.
He’s set for life. Congrats to a well accomplished career if this turns out to be his reason to retire. Hopefully, he can share his knowledge and experience with a new generation.
Avisail, mlb enigma.
Huge guy. 6’4 260. Big swing.
Top tier sprint speed, even in his 30’s.
Great arm. Great results on stopping runners from advancing.
Yet producing very little power in mlb. Even low power in the minors. (I mean compared to what you would think).
One outlier season of great contact.
One outlier season of power.
It’s great he played ten+ years.
It’s bad he’s hampered with injuries and constant hamstring issues.
Jeter signing for Marlins. Expected to play cf.
If you’re talking about 2017, his BABIP that year was .392 vs. a career .321 so he had a lot of luck finding holes. He’s no doubt a talented player with a 4 WAR ceiling with steady plate discipline and line-drives are his calling. Too bad the injuries got him. Could’ve also been a steal for that contract.
Garcia has probably reached the end of the line. Be hard for teams to look at him as a viable option at 35 in 2026 after major back surgery