Veteran trio adds depth, experience to Angels

ANAHEIM -- Andrew Chafin already had his bags packed in Washington, D.C. After being traded in five of the last six deadlines, he knows how this goes.

So when Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo called Chafin into his office as he was sitting at his locker in the clubhouse, he already knew why.

“I just got traded,” Chafin said. “Let’s go see where.”

Chafin and his teammate, Luis García, were acquired by the Angels on Wednesday in exchange for left-hander Jake Eder and Double-A first baseman Sam Brown. It was a surprise move, as the Angels had been considered to be sellers ahead of the Trade Deadline. But the organization pivoted to buying on the heels of winning three in a row to move within four games of the third and final AL Wild Card spot.

The Angels continued to buy on Thursday’s Deadline, acquiring infielder Oswald Peraza from the Yankees in exchange for Minor League outfielder Wilberson De Peña and international bonus pool space. Left-handerJosé Quijada and infielder Kevin Newman were designated for assignment in the corresponding roster moves.

The Halos are hoping the incoming trio of Chafin, García and Peraza can help them make a push for their first postseason appearance since 2014.

Chafin made his Angel debut in the seventh inning of Friday’s 6-3 loss to the White Sox, allowing two hits but no runs in his one inning pitched. García pitched the eighth, where he allowed a run on two hits with a strikeout.

“We’re taking every game day by day,” said interim manager Ray Montgomery. “We talked about it in Spring Training, we talked about it at the beginning of the season. Now we’re in August, which is kind of cool, and we’re still talking about it. My mentality to the guys, and theirs back to me, has always been like, ‘Let’s just play today and let the outside noise be the outside noise.’”

Chafin wasn’t necessarily surprised that the Angels had traded for him. He doesn’t pay any attention to standings or records at all during the season.

“Even with the Nationals,” he said. “I don’t look at that stuff. My job is to pitch, and worrying about that aspect of the game does me no good. I just try to keep my day-to-day simple, worry about what I have to do, be fully prepared for that, and just try to get my job done.”

Montgomery said he has already spoken with Chafin and knows exactly what his role will be. The 35-year-old left-hander posted a 2.70 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 20 innings with the Nationals this season and has a career 3.39 ERA over 12 seasons in the Majors. He joins Reid Detmers and Brock Burke as lefty options out of the bullpen.

Chafin already has some familiarity with Montgomery, who helped convince him to sign with the Diamondbacks after being drafted in 2011.

This will be García’s third stint with the Angels after pitching for them in 2019 and 2024. He began this season with the Dodgers before landing in Washington after being DFA'd on June 29. He has a career 4.14 ERA in 13 big league seasons, including a 4.09 ERA in 105 2/3 innings with the Halos.

“It’s easier,” García said in Spanish, of being traded to a place that he’s already familiar with. “You already know the whole world. You don’t have to gather yourself and start to get to know people. You’re not uncomfortable. It’s just more comfortable.”

“We talked about the experience coming through those doors,” Montgomery said. “And those two guys give an enormous amount of that for us.”

And while he wasn’t expecting to be traded until he got the news, Peraza was ecstatic when he found out he was headed to the Angels.

“Ever since I came here as a visitor, I’ve loved this stadium,” he said in Spanish. “The vibes. The fans. I’m really excited to be here, give the best of myself, and give the best show to the fans.”

In addition to loving the Southern California weather, Peraza already has history with at least one of his new teammates, as he and Gustavo Campero became close friends during their time together as Minor Leaguers in the Yankees' farm system.

Peraza brings some versatility as a multi-positional infielder, filling a need on defense for the Angels. He took ground balls at third base ahead of Friday’s game, which is where Montgomery said he’ll most likely play against left-handed pitchers as he gets acclimated to his new club.

“I’m so glad to be here with this team that’s giving me an opportunity,” Peraza said in Spanish. “It’s the first time I’ve been traded, but I’m excited for what’s ahead of me. I just met my teammates, and it feels good. The team is good. Competitive. I’m just happy to be here and take advantage of the opportunities that they give me.”