HOUSTON -- Less than an hour before the series finale against the Astros on Wednesday, the Nationals traded a pair of veteran relievers to the Angels in exchange for two Minor League players.
The Nats acquired first baseman Sam Brown and left-hander Jake Eder for left-hander Andrew Chafin and right-hander Luis García.
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Eder was optioned to Triple-A Rochester. To fill a bullpen spot, the Nationals recalled right-hander Zach Brzykcy from the Red Wings.
The 2025 Trade Deadline is on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET.
“It’s part of the game. We’re at the Trade Deadline and things can happen,” interim manager Miguel Cairo said following the Nationals’ 9-1 loss. “... Good for García, good for Chafin. They’re going to go to a good team. We wish the best for them. They did a really good job. … This is going to be a great opportunity for the young kids, young players, young pitchers to show the front office that they belong in the big leagues.”
TRADE DETAILS
Nationals receive: 1B Sam Brown, LHP Jake Eder
Angels receive: LHP Andrew Chafin, RHP Luis García
Eder, 26, was pitching for Triple-A Salt Lake. He is 2-7 with a 6.11 ERA in 13 starts this season. He made his Major League debut on Sept. 17, 2024, and he has appeared in nine big league games out of the bullpen. Eder was a fourth-round Draft pick by the Marlins in 2020 out of Vanderbilt.
Eder enters the Nationals top prospects list at No. 28 with the following scouting grades: Fastball, 50; slider, 55; changeup, 45; control, 50; overall, 40. MLB Pipeline wrote:
“His four-seam fastball shows subpar average velocity in the 92-94 mph range over short spurts with some armside run, but he can make that play up with near-elite extension close to seven feet. He’ll flash two slider variations -- a harder upper-80s variety and a low-80s sweeper -- and the latter was significantly better at generating whiffs and limiting hard contact at Triple-A before the latest trade. Eder’s mid-80s changeup gives him something against righties, but it can be too firm and sluggable if it catches too much of the zone.”
Brown, 23, is a lefty-hitter who was playing in Double-A Rocket City during his second pro season. In 92 games this season, Brown is slashing .244/.350/.358 with 12 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 40 RBIs and a .708 OPS. The Angels drafted Brown in the 12th round in 2023 out of Washington State.
The Nationals had acquired the veterans Chafin and García mid-season.
Chafin, 35, is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 20 innings (26 relief appearances). The Nats signed Chafin on May 1 after he was released by the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate.
García, 38, signed with the Nationals on July 8 after being released by the Dodgers. He went 2-0 with a 4.10 ERA and held opponents to a .167 batting average in 10 relief appearances. On Friday, he reached 100.7 mph against the Twins. García previously pitched for the Angels in 2019 and ‘24.
“[There are] a lot of young guys out there, and I felt like they were a good voice for them,” said veteran designated hitter Josh Bell. “Obviously, Chafin is more vocal (smiles). There’s a lot to learn from that guy, he’s been doing it for a long time. And same with García. I felt like García was really good for [Jose A. Ferrer]. It seems like he turned it around the last few weeks that he was here. So hopefully he can take what he learned and finish the season strong.”
Veterans on expiring contracts with the Nationals like Chafin and García are right-handed closer Kyle Finnegan, right-hander Michael Soroka, Bell and infielder Paul DeJong. The Nats traded infielder Amed Rosario to the Yankees on Saturday in exchange for two Minor League players.
Another player with a different contract situation who has been mentioned in trade buzz is MacKenzie Gore. The All-Star southpaw starter does not become a free agent until 2027.
“I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t see it,” Gore said after allowing six runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Astros. “But look, I’ve been trying to figure out how to get guys out and pitch well. It’s a thing, it’s a little strange. But like I said, I’ve been trying to figure out how to get people out, get ready for each start. But I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t see it.”