Reinvented OF Karim Garcia Signs Phillies Minor League Deal
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Outfielder Karim Garcia, veteran of 10 partial big-league seasons, penned a Phillies Minor League contract this week.
The Phillies, who had been looking for a lefthanded pinch hitter, found Garcia playing Japanese ball.
Denver Post Staff Writer Troy E. Renck wrote how Garcia, nicknamed the “Latino Bambino” and who was;
Maligned for never reaching his potential, Garcia has dropped 20 pounds, regained his power and will decide today whether to sign a minor-league deal with the Rockies or the Philadelphia Phillies, according to his agent.
Garcia is known more for oddities than statistics. As a New York Yankee, he was involved in the infamous bullpen brawl at Fenway Park during the 2003 playoffs. Earlier in his career, the Arizona Diamondbacks traded him for eventual superstar Luis Gonzalez.
Eager for a fresh start, Garcia spent the past two seasons in Japan, hitting .281 with 34 home runs in 663 at-bats. He is the only player in Japanese history to hit three home runs in back-to-back games.
Garcia and the Phillies agreed to a Minor League deal, pending a physical.
The 31-year-old broke in with the Dodgers in 1995.
A .241 career hitter in parts of 10 big-league seasons, Garcia last played for the Mets and Orioles in 2004, hitting a combined .229 in 258 at-bats. He played all three outfield spots, but is best suited for the corners.
With Garcia’s acquisition, the Phils have gained additional outfield depth via their minor league system.
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