Nationals lose key clubhouse presence in trading Luis García Jr.

ATLANTA — Until the clock reads 6:01 p.m. Monday, most major league players will be on edge. The uncertainty gnaws at players, and Luis García Jr. wasn’t exempt.

He struggled with the rumors and speculation surrounding him. He was left in limbo Sunday afternoon after being a late scratch by manager Blake Butera because he was told “something was really close.”

After Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Braves, the Nationals finalized a trade sending García to the Yankees, a source confirmed to The Banner. ESPN’s Jeff Passan was first to report the trade. The Nationals will receive right-handers Jake Bird, Ben Grable, Yovanny Cruz and Jack Cebert.

When Andrés Chaparro left the game after being hit in the head during a fourth-inning at-bat, Brady House replaced him at first base for the first time in his career in the fifth.

“It was weird, uncomfortable going to the dugout, and then having all the teammates look at you,” García said through a translator after the game.

García’s tenure with the Nationals began in 2016, when he signed as a 16-year-old international free agent.

García progressed through the organization as a shortstop before shifting to second base last season and finding a home at first base this season. His teammates professed their love for García before the trade was finalized, knowing his departure was imminent.

“If Luis is here, if Luis is not here, he’s an unbelievable person, an unbelievable teammate, unbelievable leader for this clubhouse, unbelievable player,” Butera said. “[He’s] done everything we’ve asked him to, taken to a new position and then what he’s meant to us in the lineup and what he’s done offensively. However this shakes out, we’ll always love Luis, and he can always play on my team.”

García’s energy is inviting. He’s jubilant, full of joy and loves to spread positivity to his teammates. Butera said, “The more you pour into Luis, the more he pours into the group.” García is a connector, which is a powerful tool in a major league clubhouse.

A 162-game season is a grind, a test of endurance. Levity is a gift of García’s. He knows how to ease pressure and tension to loosen the group.

“I’ve known Luis for a while, and he’s just always making me laugh,” House said. “I don’t know if we have that many serious conversations because I’m always laughing at him. He’s a really good teammate. I like being around him, and he’s a good player. He’s awesome to be around.”

This season, García took steps as a leader, particularly as his offense production soared. He’s hit 23 homers with 76 RBIs and a wRC+ of 134. He’s developed into one of the better power-hitting first basemen in the majors, leading the NL in slugging percentage (.560).

The Nationals will miss García’s production, but they will miss his presence more keenly. With teammates knowing García’s situation, some lingered in the clubhouse as he conducted his postgame interview.

“That’s my brother,” shortstop CJ Abrams said. “No matter what team he’s on, we always have that connection. He’s my guy.”

García debuted on a Nationals team that rostered Trea Turner, Juan Soto, Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer. He’s seen the roster take different forms over the past couple of seasons, but those veterans had a profound impact on him.

“All those guys taught me and shaped me to be the player and person that I am today,” García said. “Coming into this year, I was seen as a leader of this clubhouse. So, for me, passing that along to everyone here, all my teammates, the young ones, that was really important for me.”

Abrams said García was the first player he “talked to, for real,” after he was traded from the Padres in 2022. Whether it was in Spanish or English, the two formed a kinship that has carried on over the years.

“Kind of grew up together, so it’s tough,” Abrams said.

The García trade is one of what could be many for the Nationals before Monday’s MLB deadline. All-Star lefty Foster Griffin is a popular trade candidate for pitching-needy contenders, and Abrams’ name is always circulating in trade rumors.

As García departs the team, he hopes the organization continues playing with the same intensity it has had for the majority of this season.

“Keep playing with that energy, playing hard every day, coming in and working hard,” García said. “I’m still gonna follow this team, if I leave or not, and I’ll still keep up with the organization.”

This article has been updated.