View source for Freddy García

{{short description|Venezuelan baseball player (born 1976)}}
{{about other people|the Venezuelan baseball pitcher|other people named Freddy García|Freddy García (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name        = Freddy García
| image       = Freddy García on May 9, 2013.jpg
| image_size  = 
| caption     = Garcia with the Baltimore Orioles
| team        = 
| number      = 
| position    = [[Pitcher]]
| bats        = Right
| throws      = Right
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1976|10|6}}
| birth_place = [[Caracas|Caracas, Venezuela]]
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate   = April 7
| debutyear   = 1999
| debutteam   = Seattle Mariners
| finalleague = MLB
| finaldate = September 24
| finalyear = 2013
| finalteam = Atlanta Braves
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label  = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
| stat1value  = 156–108
| stat2label  = [[Earned run average]]
| stat2value  = 4.15
| stat3label  = [[Strikeout]]s
| stat3value  = 1,621
| teams       = 
* [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|1999}}–{{mlby|2004}})
* [[Chicago White Sox]] ({{mlby|2004}}–{{mlby|2006}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|2007}})
* [[Detroit Tigers]] ({{mlby|2008}})
* [[Chicago White Sox]] ({{mlby|2009}}–{{mlby|2010}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|2011}}–{{mlby|2012}})
* [[Baltimore Orioles]] ({{mlby|2013}})
* [[Atlanta Braves]] ({{mlby|2013}})
| awards = 
* 2× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2001]], [[2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2002]])
* [[World Series champion]] ([[2005 World Series|2005]])
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders|AL ERA leader]] (2001)
}}
'''Freddy Antonio García''' (born October 6, 1976) is a [[Venezuelans|Venezuelan]] former professional [[baseball]] [[pitcher]]. He is best known for his many seasons with seven [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) franchises, including the [[Seattle Mariners]], [[Chicago White Sox]], and [[New York Yankees]]. García has also pitched in the [[Chinese Professional Baseball League]] (CPBL), [[Mexican League]], and [[Venezuelan Professional Baseball League]].

García's best year was in 2001 in which he led the American League in innings pitched and ERA. He made the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star team]] in 2001 and 2002. He was a member of the [[2005 World Series]]-winning White Sox and started the series-ending Game 4.

==Professional career==

===Seattle Mariners===
Originally signed by the [[Houston Astros]] as an international [[free agent]] in 1993, García was acquired by Seattle in 1998, along with [[Carlos Guillén]] and [[John Halama]] in the trade that sent [[Randy Johnson]] to the Astros.<ref name="AP/ESPN" />

During García's [[rookie]] season, he pitched 201 [[innings pitched|innings]], compiling a 17–8 record with 170 [[strikeout]]s and a 4.07 [[Earned run average|ERA]] in 33 starts. After going 9–5 in his second season, he went on to compile a 45–42 [[win–loss record]] over the course of the next three and a half seasons with Seattle. His strongest season was in [[2001 Seattle Mariners season|2001]], when he earned 18 of the Mariners' American League record-setting 116 wins and led the AL with {{frac|238|2|3}} innings pitched and a 3.05 earned run average. He finished third in AL [[Cy Young Award]] voting that year.

On June 27, 2004, García and catcher [[Ben Davis (baseball)|Ben Davis]] were traded to the [[Chicago White Sox]] for [[Michael Morse (baseball)|Michael Morse]], [[Miguel Olivo]], and [[Jeremy Reed]].<ref>{{cite news|title=ChiSox add another arm to repertoire|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1830535|access-date=July 30, 2014|work=ESPN.com|date=June 28, 2004}}</ref> As a Mariner, García had a 76–50 record with a 3.89 ERA and 819 strikeouts.

[[File:DSC03658 Freddy García.jpg|250px|thumb|left|García with the [[2005 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox in 2005]]]]

===Chicago White Sox===
García was the starting pitcher in Game 4 of the [[2005 World Series]] for the Chicago White Sox, pitching seven scoreless innings against the [[Houston Astros]]. The White Sox won the game and the World Series, completing a four-game sweep.

Before the 2006 season, García tested positive for marijuana during the [[2006 World Baseball Classic|World Baseball Classic]].<ref name="MLB-drugs">{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060430&content_id=1426450&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Report: García violates IBAF drug policy; Venezuela paper claims positive test for marijuana at Classic|last=Sanchez|first=Jesse|date=April 30, 2006|work=MLB.com|access-date=January 23, 2009|archive-date=May 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508114157/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060430&content_id=1426450&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2006, he surpassed 1,000 strikeouts for his career. In eight post-season games, he was 5–2 with a 3.56 ERA in 48 innings. Also during 2006, on April 29, García recorded his 103rd career win in a game against the [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]], surpassing former White Sox [[Left-handedness|left-hander]] [[Wilson Álvarez]] as the Venezuelan native with the most career wins in Major League history. He finished the season 17–9 with a 4.53 ERA.<ref name="AP/ESPN" /> He was given the nickname "Big Game" while a member of the White Sox.

===Philadelphia Phillies===
[[File:Freddy García.jpg|200px|thumb|García with the [[2007 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies in 2007]]]]
In December 2006, García was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for prospects [[Gavin Floyd]] and [[Gio González]].<ref name="AP/ESPN">{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2689303|title=White Sox trade García to Phillies for Floyd|date=December 18, 2006|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN|access-date=January 23, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Mandel|first1=Ken|title=Phils acquire Garcia from White Sox|url=http://m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/1753339/|access-date=April 1, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=December 6, 2006|archive-date=June 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627054036/http://m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/1753339/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

García experienced a shoulder injury that limited his performance for the first several months of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cameron |first=Dave |title=Freddy Garcia and the Value of Broken Starters |url=https://blogs.fangraphs.com/freddy-garcia-and-the-value-of-broken-starters/ |work=Fangraphs |date=January 30, 2013 |access-date=June 3, 2024}}</ref> He was placed on the [[disabled list]] (DL) in June, and had shoulder surgery in August.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shoulder surgery ends 2007 season for Phillies' Garcia|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2997866|access-date=April 1, 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=August 30, 2007}}</ref> García made 11 starts before being placed on the DL and earned one win.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mandel|first1=Ken|title=Garcia will not have surgery on shoulder|url=http://m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/2026315/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114944/http://m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/2026315/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2015|access-date=April 1, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=June 14, 2007}}</ref>

===Detroit Tigers===
In August 2008, García signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers. In his first 2 minor league starts with the Tigers he pitched 5 innings, gave up no runs, and struck out 5. In his Tigers debut in late September, García, with a limited pitch count, threw 5 scoreless innings to get the win.

===New York Mets===
In January 2009, García agreed to a minor league deal with the [[New York Mets]].<ref name="DN-Mets">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2009/01/García-lands-with-mets.html|title=García lands with Mets|last=Rubin|first=Adam|date=January 23, 2009|work=New York Daily News|access-date=January 23, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/3768034/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144527/http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/3768034/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2015|title=Mets sign Garcia to Minor League deal|date=January 23, 2009|work=MLB.com|access-date=January 23, 2009|first1=Anthony|last1=DiComo}}</ref> He was released on April 28, 2009, after two bad starts for the [[Buffalo Bisons]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Costa|first1=Brian|title=New York Mets release pitcher Freddy Garcia|url=http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2009/04/new_york_mets_release_pitcher_2.html|access-date=April 1, 2015|work=Star Ledger|publisher=NJ.com|date=April 28, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pena, Figueroa, Nickeas Join Bisons|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-572587|access-date=April 1, 2015|publisher=[[Minor League Baseball]]|date=April 28, 2009}}</ref>

===Chicago White Sox (second stint)===
On June 8, 2009, the Chicago White Sox signed García to a minor league contract.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-06-08 |title=White Sox sign free agent pitcher Freddy Garcia |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2009/06/08/garcia-whitesox |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> García started on August 18 against the [[Kansas City Royals]] for the first time with the White Sox since 2006.

In his first game back with the White Sox, García went {{Fraction|4|1|3}} innings allowing 5 earned runs in a losing effort. He finished the season with a 3–4 record and a 4.34 ERA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Freddy García 2009 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=garcifr03&t=p&year=2009 |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref>

On October 5, 2009, the Chicago White Sox exercised their 2010 option on García, a $1&nbsp;million base salary with $2&nbsp;million in possible incentives.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 5, 2009 |title=ChiSox pick up García's option |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2009/10/05/garcia-whitesox |work=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> He became a free agent following the 2010 season.

===New York Yankees===
[[File:Freddy García 2011.jpg|200px|thumb|García pitching for the [[2011 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees in 2011]]]]

On January 31, 2011, García agreed to a minor league contract with the [[New York Yankees]] worth $1.5 million.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=6078308 Yanks, Freddy García agree] ESPN</ref> On March 25, 2011, the Yankees announced that García would be in the Yankees' starting rotation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Short |first=D. J. |date=2011-03-26 |title=Yankees give Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia final rotation spots |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/yankees-give-ivan-nova-and-freddy-garcia-final-rotation-spots |access-date=2025-10-09 |publisher=NBC Sports}}</ref> He finished the 2011 season with a solid 12–8 record and a 3.62 ERA,<ref name=resign>{{cite web|title=García's one-year deal with Bombers official|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111209&content_id=26135850&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107235403/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111209&content_id=26135850&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 7, 2012|date=December 9, 2011|access-date=December 10, 2011|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com}}</ref> however, he was consistently hammered by teams with winning records, most notably the [[Boston Red Sox]]. García was on the mound in relief as the Sox won their second game of the season on April 10, as well as 2 other losses on May 15 and June 7. However, García did manage to defeat the Red Sox on September 24.

García also lost his only playoff start in Game 2 as the Yankees were defeated by the [[Detroit Tigers]] in the [[American League Division Series]] in five games. Despite this, the Yankees offered him a one-year deal worth $4 million with incentives for the 2012 season. The deal became official on December 9.<ref name=resign/><ref>{{cite web|title=New York Yankees Officially Sign Freddy García to One Year Deal|url=http://www.yankees101.com/2011/12/12/new-york-yankees-officially-sign-freddy-García-to-one-year-deal/|access-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035834/http://www.yankees101.com/2011/12/12/new-york-yankees-officially-sign-freddy-Garc%C3%ADa-to-one-year-deal/|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2012, García was expected to challenge for a starting spot with [[Phil Hughes (baseball)|Phil Hughes]], [[A. J. Burnett]], [[Andy Pettitte]] and [[Michael Pineda]]. However, Burnett was traded in the offseason, and Pineda was diagnosed with a shoulder injury, thereby allowing García into the rotation.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Prunty|first1=Brendan|title=Freddy Garcia roughed up again, as Yankees rotation takes another hit in loss to Tigers, 7–5|url=http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2012/04/freddy_garcia_roughed_up_again.html|access-date=February 2, 2016|work=Star Ledger|date=April 28, 2012}}</ref>

García began the 2012 season with bad footing as he threw 5 wild pitches in his first start against the [[Baltimore Orioles]]. He was demoted to the bullpen after going 0–2 in April with a 12.51 ERA, averaging only 3.1 innings per start. [[David Phelps (baseball)|David Phelps]] was moved into the starting rotation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1165440-report-freddy-García-demoted-to-the-bullpen-david-phelps-to-join-rotation|title=New York Yankees: Freddy García to Bullpen, David Phelps to Join Rotation|last=DeJohn|first=Kenny|date=April 29, 2012|work=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref>

García immediately improved once in the bullpen. In his two-month relief stint, he posted a 1.56 ERA in 17.1 innings.<ref name="reference">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=garcifr03&year=2012&t=p|title=Freddy García 2012 Pitching Gamelogs|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref> His [[sinker (baseball)|sinker]]'s speed also improved, from an average of 87.1&nbsp;mph in April<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/150119/?batters=A&count=AA&pitches=SI&from=5%2F1%2F2012&to=6%2F30%2F2012|title=Freddy García, New York Yankees – PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile|work=Texas Leaguers.com|access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref> to 88.6 in May/June.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/150119/?batters=A&count=AA&pitches=SI&from=5%2F1%2F2012&to=6%2F30%2F2012|title=Freddy García, New York Yankees – PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile|work=TexasLeaguers.com|access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref>

A fibula injury to [[Andy Pettitte]] in late June brought García back into the rotation. Overall, García finished the 2012 season with a 7–6 record and a 5.20 ERA in 30 games appeared (17 started). He became a free agent following the season.

===Baltimore Orioles===
On January 28, 2013, García signed a minor league deal with the [[San Diego Padres]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130128&content_id=41223724&vkey=news_sd&c_id=sd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131082728/http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130128&content_id=41223724&vkey=news_sd&c_id=sd |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |title=Padres sign Garcia, Stauffer to Minors deals |publisher=Sandiego.padres.mlb.com |date=January 29, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013}}</ref> He was released by the Padres on March 24.<ref>{{cite web|last=Adams |first=Steve |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/03/padres-release-freddy-garcia.html |title=Padres Release Freddy Garcia: MLB Rumors |publisher=MLBTradeRumors.com |date=March 24, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013}}</ref> He promptly signed a minor league contract with the [[Baltimore Orioles]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/spring2013/story/_/id/9113321/freddy-garcia-agrees-minor-league-deal-baltimore-orioles |title=Orioles, Freddy Garcia agree to deal |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=March 29, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013}}</ref> and joined the Triple-A [[Norfolk Tides]]. He was called up on May 4 to make his Orioles debut on the road at Anaheim. He was designated for assignment on June 24. Three days later, García signed another minor league contract and returned to Norfolk.<ref>{{cite news|title=Freddy Garcia stays with Orioles|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9430753/freddy-garcia-signs-minor-league-deal-baltimore-orioles|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=June 27, 2013}}</ref>

===Atlanta Braves===
On August 23, 2013, the Orioles traded García to the [[Atlanta Braves]] for cash considerations.<ref>{{cite web|first=Roch |last=Kubatko|url=http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2013/08/garcia-traded-to-braves-as-lineup.html |title=School of Roch: Garcia traded to Braves, A's lineup |publisher=Masnsports.com |date=August 23, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013}}</ref> He had his contract selected to the major league roster on September 1. García pitched effectively for the Braves, going 1–2 with a 1.65 ERA in September (1–1, 1.83 ERA in 3 starts). He started Game 4 of the [[2013 National League Division Series|NLDS]]. Although the Braves lost to the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], García pitched well, giving up 2 runs over 6 innings and was in line for the win when he left the game.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/baseball/braves-re-sign-freddy-garcia-to-minor-league-deal/nc2BR/ |title=Braves re-sign Freddy Garcia to minor-league deal |work=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |date=January 24, 2014 |last=O'Brien |first=David |access-date=March 14, 2014}}</ref> The 2014 postseason would be his last appearance in the majors.

He returned to the Braves on a minor league contract signed January 24, 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/pitcher-freddy-garcia-returning-to-braves-on-minor-league-contract/c-67073966 | title=Garcia returning to Braves on Minor League deal | work=[[MLB.com]] | date=January 24, 2014 | access-date=October 12, 2014}}</ref> He was released on March 24.<ref>{{cite web|title=Braves release Freddy Garcia|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/10665998/atlanta-braves-release-righty-freddy-garcia-injuries|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|access-date=March 24, 2014|date=March 24, 2014}}</ref>

===EDA Rhinos===
On April 18, 2014, García signed with the [[EDA Rhinos]] of the [[Chinese Professional Baseball League]] (CPBL).<ref>{{cite web|last=Yeh|first=Joseph|title=Freddy Garcia signs with EDA Rhino, arriving next week|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2014/04/19/405720/Freddy-Garcia.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419185919/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2014/04/19/405720/Freddy-Garcia.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 19, 2014|publisher=[[The China Post]]|access-date=April 19, 2014|date=April 19, 2014|quote=A local professional baseball team yesterday announced that it has sealed a deal with former Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star pitcher Freddy Garcia.  The high profile ex-big league hurler with 150-plus wins is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan on April 25 to join the Kaohsiung-based EDA Rhinos (義大犀牛), the team said yesterday.}}</ref> The seven-month deal included incentives that increased its worth up to $392,000,<ref>{{cite web|title=Garcia ready to pitch in for Taiwan's Rhinos|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=10855781|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|access-date=April 29, 2014|date=April 29, 2014}}</ref> and was the most lucrative in CPBL history until [[Lin Chih-sheng (baseball)|Lin Chih-sheng]] signed a 3-year deal for $1.36 million in January 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yeh|first1=Joseph|title=Lin Chih-sheng joins Chinatrust Brothers|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/baseball/2016/01/05/455278/Lin-Chih-sheng.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601173143/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/baseball/2016/01/05/455278/Lin-Chih-sheng.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 1, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2016|work=China Post|date=January 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Yu-cheng|last2=Wu|first2=Lilian|title=Lin Chih-sheng becomes highest paid baseball player in Taiwan|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aeas/201601040019.aspx|access-date=January 5, 2016|agency=Central News Agency|date=January 4, 2016}}</ref> In his first game for the Rhinos on May 10, 2014, García pitched six innings of shutout ball on four hits in a no-decision before being pulled after 77 pitches. The Rhinos won the game 5–0 against the Chinatrust [[Brother Elephants]] in front of a sellout crowd of more than 12,000.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Huang|first1=Paul|title=Garcia helps Rhinos share games|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2014/05/11/2003590065|access-date=July 30, 2014|publisher=Taipei Times|date=May 11, 2014}}</ref>

===Olmecas de Tabasco/Los Angeles Dodgers===
On February 25, 2015, García signed with the [[Olmecas de Tabasco]] of the [[Mexican League]]. He made 6 starts throwing 33.1 innings going 1-2 with a 5.67 ERA and 21 strikeouts. 

On April 9, 2015, García signed a minor league contract with the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Garcia agrees with Dodgers, who plan to release McGowan|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=12593912|access-date=April 1, 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=March 31, 2015}}</ref> He was assigned to the AAA [[Oklahoma City Dodgers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2015/04/07/revealed-opening-day-roster-for-triple-a-oklahoma-city/|title=Revealed: Opening Day roster for Triple-A Oklahoma City.|work=LA Daily News|first=J.P.|last=Hoornstra|date=April 7, 2015|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref> He appeared in four games and made one start for Oklahoma City, allowing seven runs in 7.1 innings and was released on April 21.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Unruh|first1=Jacob|title=Dodgers release Freddy Garcia among flurry of moves|url=http://newsok.com/dodgers-release-freddy-garcia-among-flurry-of-moves/article/5412805|access-date=June 4, 2015|work=The Oklahoman|date=April 23, 2015}}</ref> 

===Sultanes de Monterrey===
He rejoined the Olmecas de Tabasco in June,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Heyman|first1=Jon|title=Inside Baseball: Mets, Twins among early buyers and more MLB news|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/25212612/inside-baseball-mets-twins-among-early-buyers-and-more-mlb-news|access-date=February 2, 2016|work=CBS Sports|date=June 12, 2015}}</ref> then was traded to the [[Sultanes de Monterrey]]. In September García was assigned to the [[Tigres de Aragua]]. He spent the rest of 2015 with Aragua, where he won a league championship,<ref name=perezcox>{{cite news|last1=Serrano|first1=Ignacio|title=Venezuela manager Eddie Perez aims to make mentor Bobby Cox proud|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/onenacion/post/_/id/2655/venezuela-manager-eddie-perez-aims-to-make-mentor-bobby-cox-proud|access-date=February 2, 2016|publisher=ESPN Desportes|date=February 1, 2016}}</ref> and started the first and final games of the [[2016 Caribbean Series]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Venezuela wins behind Freddy Garcia's strong outing|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/14693274/2016-caribbean-series-roundup|access-date=February 2, 2016|work=ESPN.com|date=February 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mexico wins third Caribbean Series title in 4 years on Jorge Vazquez HR|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/14735386/mexico-wins-caribbean-series-jorge-vazquez-walk-home-run|access-date=February 8, 2016|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=February 7, 2016}}</ref> He retired after the series concluded.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sanchez|first1=Jesse|title=Venezuela, Mexico win Caribbean Series openers|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/venezuela-wins-game-1-of-caribbean-series-c163396586|access-date=February 2, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=February 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sanchez|first1=Jesse|title=Garcia to bid farewell in Caribbean finale|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/freddy-garcia-to-retire-after-caribbean-finale-c163842656|access-date=February 8, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=February 7, 2016}}</ref> In 5 starts 35.1 innings he went 3-1 with a 2.55 ERA and 23 strikeouts.

On April 8, 2016, García came out of retirement and signed with the [[Sultanes de Monterrey]] of the [[Mexican League]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Freddy García está de vuelta con Sultanes|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/gcs-171045628|access-date=June 30, 2017|publisher=[[Minor League Baseball]]|date=April 7, 2016|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Venezolano Freddy García se une a Sultanes en Liga Mexicana|url=http://espndeportes.espn.com/beisbol/nota/_/id/2642196/venezolano-freddy-garcia-se-une-a-sultanes-en-liga-mexicana|access-date=June 30, 2016|publisher=ESPN Deportes|date=April 8, 2016|language=es}}</ref> He was released on May 3, 2016. In 5 starts 23.1 innings he went 2-0 with a 5.01 ERA and 14 strikeouts.

===Leones de Yucatán===
On March 5, 2018, García signed with the [[Leones de Yucatán]] of the [[Mexican League]].<ref>{{cite news|title=El ex ligamayorista Freddy García llega a Leones|url=http://www.leones.mx/archivos/11930|access-date=March 5, 2018|date=March 5, 2018|language=es}}</ref> He was released on April 23, 2018. He made 5 starts throwing 23.2 innings going 2-2 with a 5.32 ERA and 22 strikeouts.

García was eligible to be elected in the [[2019 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|Hall of Fame in 2019]]. He received no votes and became ineligible for the 2020 ballot.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 Hall of Fame Voting |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2019.shtml |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref>

==Pitching style==
García threw a [[fastball]] that topped out in the 90s in his prime and a hard [[Slider (baseball)|slider]]. He also threw a [[two-seam fastball]], a [[curveball]], a [[split-finger fastball]] and occasionally used a [[changeup]].<ref>[http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1077&position=P Career Stats] Fangraphs.com</ref>

García was once a [[power pitcher]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Howard|first1=Johnette|title=Freddy Garcia comes to Yanks' rescue|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/columns/story?id=6370439|access-date=July 30, 2014|work=ESPN.com|date=April 17, 2011}}</ref> but as he got older, García lost velocity on his pitches and compensated by developing a broad repertoire of up to six or seven pitches. In the 2013 season, García threw the following pitches, in order of their use:<ref name="brooks">{{cite web|url=http://brooksbaseball.net/player_cards/player_card.php?player=150119|title=Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Freddy Garcia|publisher=Brooks Baseball|access-date=October 12, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Four-seam fastball]] — 86–90&nbsp;mph
* [[Slider (baseball)|Slider]] — 78–82&nbsp;mph
* [[Curveball]] — 72–76&nbsp;mph
* [[Split-finger fastball|Splitter]] — 78–82&nbsp;mph
* [[Changeup]] — 80–84&nbsp;mph
* [[Sinker (baseball)|Sinker]] — 86–90&nbsp;mph

García has also adjusted his approach to the strike zone, being especially careful not to leave pitches in the middle of the plate: "He doesn't really have the electric stuff, so he's going to stay on the corners and stay out of the zone."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/freddy_or_not_ckLhPMzx7GDKx8IYQI7tfN|title=Yankees' Garcia shaky, but gets job done vs. Angels|last=Brian|first=Lewis|date=July 15, 2012|work=New York Post|access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref>

==Personal life==
García and his wife married in 2004. They have two children.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=After start, Garcia tends to wife in labor |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/after-start-garcia-tends-to-wife-in-labor/c-68970812 |website=mlb.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media, LLC. |access-date=5 August 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|Venezuela}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball players from Venezuela]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Freddy García}}
{{baseballstats|mlb=150119|espn=4007|br=g/garcifr03|fangraphs=1077|brm=garcia003fre|retro=G/Pgarcf002}}

{{2005 Chicago White Sox}}
{{AL ERA champions}}
{{Seattle Mariners Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{Venezuela roster 2006 World Baseball Classic}}
{{Venezuela roster 2015 WBSC Premier12}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Garcia, Freddy}}
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