For Immediate Release: December 1, 2016
Braves and Cardinals complete four-player deal
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Atlanta Braves acquired LHP Jaime Garcia from the St. Louis Cardinals tonight in exchange for RHP John Gant, RHP Chris Ellis and INF Luke Dykstra.
Garcia, 30, won double-digits for the fourth time in his career last season, finishing 10-13 with a 4.67 ERA in 32 games, 30 starts, for St. Louis. The 6-2, 213-pound native of Reynosa, Mexico, struck out 150 over 171.2 innings, while becoming one of six National League lefties to make 30 or more starts. His 171.2 innings were the second most of his career, trailing only his high of 194.2 in 2011.
Originally drafted in the 22nd round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft by the Cardinals, Garcia made his MLB debut in 2008 before winning a career-best 13 games in 2010 and 2011. He has spent his entire eight-year career with St. Louis, compiling a 62-45 record and a 3.57 ERA, which ranks 14th lowest in the NL since his rookie season. He is signed through the 2017 season.
Gant, 24, went 1-4 with a 4.86 ERA in 20 games, seven starts, for the Braves in his rookie season last year.
Ellis, 24, finished 12-9 with a 4.49 ERA in 28 starts for Triple-A Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi last season, while Dykstra, 21, spent his season at Single-A Rome, hitting .304 in 81 games.
