Jaime Garcia was an intriguing addition for the Atlanta Braves this offseason in their attempt to bolster the team’s starting rotation for 2017. Garcia has appeared in 158 games in his big league career and has a 3.57 ERA in just under 900 innings. Health has often been a concern for Garcia throughout his career. He made just 16 starts over the 2013 and 14 seasons but was able to take the mound 32 times for the Cardinals last season.
Grant McAuley of 92.9 “The Game” caught up with Garcia Tuesday morning and discussed what it was like coming to Atlanta to play for the Braves and manager Brian Snitker.
“The positiveness and the great attitude. Guys love him around here and respect him. I’m extremely excited to be a part of this. I’ve always been a huge fan of the Atlanta Braves. They were one of my favorite teams growing up. I love the history of this team and just how they go about it… I’m definitely very excited and humbled by the opportunity to be a part of it.”
Garcia is 1 of 10 players from the Braves organization to appear on a World Baseball Classic roster. However, Garcia told reporters that he hasn’t made a final decision on pitching in the tournament and that his focus was on the Braves and getting ready for the regular season.
“My goal this year is to prepare for April and hopefully to pitch through October. That’s my goal and that’s what I’m preparing for. I’ve been around for some time and I know what I need to do. So, WBC didn’t change one bit of my preparation. It doesn’t change my spring training philosophy. If I go out there and pitch in one round, two rounds, whatever I do, it’s going to be like being in spring training. Obviously, I’m going to try and do well, but every time I take the mound, whether it’s a bullpen, or spring training game or a World Series game when I’ve been on that stage, its always with the same intensity. I don’t try to throw harder. I don’t try to do anything different. It’s pretty much just the same. Anytime I take the mound, I don’t take it for granted ”
Garcia is in the final year of his contract and will earn $12 million this season. If he pitches well, he could become an intriguing trade candidate for Atlanta later in the season. For now though, he appears cemented in the middle of what the Braves hope will be an improved starting rotation.
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