Garcia hit .240/.255/.380 with two homers, two RBI, and a 13/1 K/BB ratio over 51 plate appearances with the Marlins in 2024 and was designated for assignment in June. He then underwent lower back surgery in October and, according to Romero, “is not expected to play in the 2025 season until winter ball in Venezuela.” At that point, García will be 34 years old and will be hoping to show enough in winter ball to earn an invitation to spring training somewhere.

The 32-year-old outfielder was designated for assignment earlier in the week and passed through waivers unclaimed. The Marlins are still on the hook for close to $25 million for Garcia and any team that want to pick him up will only be responsible for the league-minimum salary. Garcia hit .240/.255/.380 with two homers, two RBI and a 13/1 K/BB ratio over 51 plate appearances with the Marlins this season.

Garcia is now off the 40-man roster, and he’ll all but assuredly either be released or elect free agency after he goes unclaimed. The Marlins will be on the hook for close to $25 million to Garcia. He’ll be free to join another team, but it likely will be on a minor-league pact.

That means the Marlins will ended up eating the remaining salary of his 2024 season along with $12 million in 2025 and another $5 million for his buyout in 2026. That’s assuming he goes unclaimed, of course. He isn’t going to be claimed. Garcia has been a massive disappointment since signing his four-year $52 million contract prior to 2022, and he’ll all but assuredly hit free agency after he goes unclaimed.