PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies found another left-hander for their bullpen.
No, not free agents Zach Britton or Andrew Miller. The Phillies announced Thursday night that they traded right-hander Luis Garcia to the Angels for left-hander Jose Alvarez. Alvarez, 29, went 6-4 with a 2.71 ERA and 3.05 FIP in 76 appearances last season. He struck out 59 and walked 22 in 63 innings.
Last season, Alvarez held left-handed hitters to a .206/.265/.338 slash line and right-handers to a .232/.321/.303. He also posted a career-best 1.4 WAR, according to Baseball Reference, 10th best among left-handed relievers. Alvarez has a 3.69 ERA in 284 career appearances over six seasons in the big leagues, including five with the Angels.
Like Garcia, Alvarez is in his second season of salary arbitration.
The Phillies, who also acquired left-hander James Pazos from the Mariners as part of the Jean Segura trade on Tuesday, have been in the market for left-handed relievers this offseason.
Garcia, 31, went 3-1 with a 6.07 ERA in 59 appearances last season. He has a 4.12 ERA in 251 career appearances over six seasons with the Phillies.