Garcia told AJ Cassavell of MLB.com on Sunday that he chose not to pursue any opportunities in baseball in free agency this winter, likely suggesting that he's opted to move on from the sport.
The 32-year-old infielder has technically been a free agent since last May, when he exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Phillies. Garcia likely could have landed a minor-league deal with another organization, but the prospect of spending extended time at the Triple-A level without the promise of a promotion to the majors might not have been too appealing for him at this stage of his career. Assuming Garcia doesn't elect to resume his playing career, he'll retire with a lifetime .245/.354/.339 slash line over 1,303 plate appearances in parts of seven MLB seasons with the Cardinals and Padres.
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Greg Garcia: Becomes free agent
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Garcia will head to free agency after opting out of his contract Monday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Garcia agreed to a minor-league deal with the Phillies near the end of April, but he'll head back to the open market after electing to opt out. His last major-league action came in 2020 while with the Padres -- he hit .200 with three doubles, 11 RBI and a stolen base in 35 contests with the Friars.
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Phillies' Greg Garcia: Inks deal with Phillies
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Garcia signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Thursday, Bryce Miller of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Garcia spent much of spring training with the Tigers, but he was released on March 25. He'll now head to the alternate site for the Phillies and has an opt-out date of May 2 if he is not added to the big-league roster.
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Greg Garcia: Granted release
Rotowire
Garcia was granted his release by the Tigers on Friday.
The move is an unsurprising one, as Garcia was informed Thursday he wouldn't be breaking camp with the team. He'll search for work elsewhere but may be stuck searching for a minor-league deal, as he's a 31-year-old who hasn't produced an above-average batting line since 2016.
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Tigers' Greg Garcia: Won't make Opening Day roster
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Garcia was informed Thursday that he won't make the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Garcia was unable to secure a utility spot on Detroit's roster after he hit .143 with one RBI, four runs and seven strikeouts this spring. He has an opt-out clause in his contract and is weighing whether to exercise it or head to the minors to begin the season.
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Tigers' Greg Garcia: Competing for utility role
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Garcia is competing for a utility spot on Detroit's roster out of spring training, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Garcia joined the Tigers earlier this month and will compete with the likes of Harold Castro and Akil Baddoo for a bench job. Working in Garcia's favor is his ability to play multiple positions in the infield, though the 31-year-old only slashed .200/.279/.250 across 30 games last season, so he may need to get hot at the plate this spring to earn a roster spot.
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Tigers' Greg Garcia: Invited to Tigers' camp
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Garcia signed with Detroit as a non-roster invitee Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Garcia has been a capable-enough utility man over his seven-year big-league career, hitting a respectable .245/.354/.339 while appearing at all four infield spots. He didn't look good in 71 plate appearances last season, hitting just .200/.279/.250. If he looks like he's back to his typical form during camp, he'll likely deserve a bench spot somewhere, but whether or not the Tigers want to give a roster spot to a 31-year-old with his sort of profile remains to be seen.
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Greg Garcia: Non-tendered by Padres
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Garcia was non-tendered by the Padres on Wednesday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Garcia saw inconsistent playing time for San Diego in 2020, and the Padres will part ways with him rather than going to arbitration. The 31-year-old hit .200/.279/.250 with 11 RBI last season and will likely have to settle for a depth role once again in 2021.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Seeing little playing time
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Garcia struck out in both of his at-bats in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Dodgers.
Garcia batted ninth and served as the Padres' designated hitter in what was his third start of September. San Diego activated another potential DH option in Francisco Mejia (thumb) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, and Tommy Pham (hand) could also rejoin the active roster within the next few days. As a result, Garcia's limited opportunities are only expected to become more scarce as the regular season winds down.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Sitting Sunday
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Garcia is out of the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks.
The 31-year-old started three of the past four games and 3-for-9 with two doubles, but he'll sit with southpaw Madison Bumgarner pitching for Arizona. Garcia has served as the designated hitter twice this season, but he's mostly competing for time at second base with Jake Cronenworth and Jurickson Profar.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Gets first start of 2020
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Garcia will man second base and bat seventh Monday against the Diamondbacks.
Garcia was used off the bench in two of the first three games of the Padres' season-opening series with the Diamondbacks, but he'll get his first start in the series finale. Jurickson Profar remains the Padres' top option at second base, but he'll serve as the designated hitter Monday to clear a lineup spot for Garcia.
Padres' Greg Garcia: In mix for time at second base
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Garcia was "very involved" in a competition with Jurickson Profar and Brian Dozier for playing time at second base when spring training was suspended, Bill Center of FriarWire reports.
Garcia started 57 games at second base last season, his most starts at any position. However, the Padres acquired Profar and Dozier in the offseason, putting Garcia's role in flux. While both Profar and Dozier struggled in spring play, hitting .217 and .227 respectively, Garcia thrived with a .364/.440/.591 slash line across 25 plate appearances. That has kept him in the mix at second base, though the 30-year-old may be best suited to a pinch-hitting role as he hit .278 in 46 plate appearances off the bench last season.
Garcia is taking reps in the outfield during spring training, Bill Center of MLB.com reports.
Garcia has logged significant time at second base, third base and shortstop throughout his career, proving versatile around the infield. However, he could add another position to his profile, as he's participated in outfield drills and fielded flyballs during batting practice this spring. Still, Garcia isn't particularly likely to pick up significant at-bats with the change, as the Padres appear pretty well set in the outfield.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Inks deal with San Diego
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Garcia signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Padres on Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Garcia will remain with the Padres for at least one more season after hitting .248 with four homers and 31 RBI over 134 matchups. He'll likely remain in a utility role in 2020.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Sits against southpaw
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Garcia is not starting Saturday against Arizona.
Garcia hits the bench with lefty Robbie Ray on the mound for the Diamondbacks. Ty France gets the nod in left field.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Retreats to bench
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Garcia is not in Thursday's lineup against the Dodgers.
Garcia has appeared in 22 games this month, slashing .224/.416/.328 with a home run and a 17:16 BB:K. Ty France is starting at the keystone and hitting sixth Thursday.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Sits again Tuesday
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Garcia is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers.
Garcia finds himself on the bench for the second straight game with the Padres facing another lefty, Rich Hill. Luis Urias slides to second base in his absence, with Seth Mejias-Brean starting at shortstop.
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Padres' Greg Garcia: Held out Sunday
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Garcia is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Garcia has seen the bulk of the starts at second base of late, but he will be held out Sunday with manager Andy Green loading the lineup with right-handed hitters against southpaw Robbie Ray.
