Reds add former Phillies players Edgar Garcia, Deivy Grullon

A former Phillies reliever and catcher joined the Reds on Wednesday.

While the Philadelphia Phillies have been busy in transforming their front office in recent weeks — with a new president of baseball operations and general manager — they have been largely inactive when it comes to player acquisitions.

The Cincinnati Reds, meanwhile, have such as reportedly discussing pitchers Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo in trade talks, and signing pitchers Josh Osich and Matt Ball to minor-league deals with invitations to spring training. On Wednesday, the National League Central club added two former Phillies players — claiming catcher Deivy Grullon off waivers from the Boston Red Sox and signing RHP Edgar Garcia to a one-year deal.

Grullon, 24, was long considered among the top catchers in the Phillies organization, reaching as high as third on the depth chart behind J.T. Realmuto and Andrew Knapp.

After making his MLB debut in red pinstripes in 2019, batting 1-for-9 with a double, RBI, and two strikeouts, the Phillies designated the Dominican Republic native for assignment this past August. Soon after, the Red Sox claimed Grullon — intrigued by his career .710 OPS in the minors. Spanning four plate appearances with the Red Sox in 2020, he logged a hit, RBI, walk, and strikeout each. Grullon slashed an impressive .283/.354/.496 with 21 home runs with the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate in 2019.

Garcia, 24, likewise a Dominican Republic native and 2019 Phillies rookie, was designated for assignment this past August. He was later dealt to the eventual American League champion Tampa Bay Rays for a player later to be named 20-year-old RHP Rodolfo Sanchez.

With the Phillies in 2019, Garcia went 2-0 with a 5.77 ERA and 45-26 strikeouts-to-walks ratio spanning 37 relief appearances and 39 innings. This past season with the Rays, Garcia struggled with a 10.80 ERA through four appearances and 3 1/3 innings. One of those outings came in late August, when Garcia notably recorded his first career save.

The Rays non-tendered the arbitration-eligible Garcia earlier this month, making him a free-agent. His new deal with the Reds is reportedly worth $600,000, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Bobby Nightengale.