ATLANTA -- The Nationals agreed to trade Luis García Jr. to the Yankees for a package of four prospects early Sunday evening. But the deal had been brewing for hours before then, which created a wait-and-see scenario that comes with the uncertainty of the Trade Deadline.
The Nats scratched García from the starting lineup of Sunday’s matinee, the day before the 6 p.m. ET cutoff. Instead of taking the field with the only organization he has ever played for, the 26-year-old García looked on from the bench as feelings swirled in the dugout.
“The emotions are sad and also happy because this is a new chapter,” García said following the game before the trade was official, adding, “There are a lot of great memories … I love this team, I love my teammates, I love the opportunity they gave me, and I love the coaches, too. They’ve treated me great.”
While García pondered the possibility of his new future, the Nationals played on without their longest-tenured member. Here is a glimpse into what it is like a day before the Trade Deadline.
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Manager Blake Butera: The Nationals had penciled García batting second in the order and playing first base. Butera, though, received word pregame that “something was really close,” and García was removed from the starting lineup.
Even when Andrés Chaparro -- who replaced García -- left the game after being hit in the helmet with a pitch, García remained on the bench. Not being able to turn to García in that scenario was difficult for Butera.
“It’s really hard, no other way to put it,” said Butera.
The first-year coaching staff and front office saw potential this Spring Training for García to shift to first base, and García embraced that change while also stepping into a leadership role.
“He's an unbelievable person, an unbelievable teammate, unbelievable leader for this clubhouse, unbelievable player,” Butera said. “You name it, he's done everything we've asked him to. [He’s] taken to a new position, obviously. Then what he's meant to us in the lineup and what he's done offensively, he's been a huge part of our team, a huge part of our success.
“However this shakes out, we'll always love Luis and he can always play on my team.”
Third baseman Brady House: When Chaparro exited the game in the fifth inning, the Nats tabbed House to play first base. House had never played the position on the Major League or Minor League level. He had been working there during pregame drills this week.
“I just hate putting players in a situation where maybe they don’t feel like they’re set up for success,” said Butera. “... It was just the spot we were in where we had to.”
House tried to implement some of what he has learned from him. García also has helped House stay positive in a season that has involved ups and downs in Triple-A and the Majors.
“Every day with him, in the batting cages, there’s music blared up with him, he’s dancing, he’s singing,” said House. “That definitely makes me feel better. It just takes your mind off the game a little bit. I like being around him a lot.”
Shortstop CJ Abrams: When Abrams was acquired by the Nationals from the Padres in the 2022 blockbuster trade, García quickly welcomed him to his new team. They formed an exciting, young middle infield in the new chapter of the Nats organization.
“That was probably the first guy I really talked to for real,” Abrams said. “[In] Spanish, English, both, just chopping it up every day. [We] kind of grew up together, so it's tough.”
Both Abrams and García have been mentioned in trade buzz this season. But when García was scratched from the lineup, the reality of them potentially being separated sunk in.
“That’s my brother,” said Abrams. “No matter what team he’s on, we’ll always have that connection. He’s my guy.”
Starting right-hander Cade Cavalli: García made his Major League debut the same year that Cavalli was drafted by the Nationals in 2020. Cavalli has watched García evolve from a young shortstop and second baseman to a first baseman in a veteran role. Still, García brought the same vibe this season that he had when he and Cavalli first met.
“He's got the type of energy that is very contagious, and there's never a bad moment around him,” said Cavalli. “He's been a great friend, a great teammate. [I’ve] loved playing with him. He's a great player on top of all those things that he is as a person. He's just truly a special human.”