Avisail Garcia Retires After 13-Season MLB Career

Avisail Garcia announced his retirement on Monday, concluding a 13-season Major League Baseball (MLB) career that included an All-Star appearance in 2017.

The 34-year-old outfielder made the announcement via social media, expressing gratitude for his career and thanking his family, representation, teammates, and coaches.

Early Career and White Sox Trade

Garcia signed with the Detroit Tigers from Venezuela at age 16 and debuted in MLB in 2012. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 2013 as part of a three-team deal involving Jake Peavy and Jose Iglesias, subsequently becoming Chicago's everyday right fielder for most of the following five seasons.

White Sox Tenure and All-Star Season

After missing most of the 2014 season due to a labrum injury, Garcia had five consecutive seasons with double-digit home runs.

His 2017 All-Star season was a career highlight, where he batted .330/.380/.506 with 18 home runs and 561 plate appearances, nearly winning the AL batting title.

His tenure with the White Sox included fluctuations in performance, with other full seasons showing batting averages between .236 and .257.

Journey Through Tampa, Milwaukee, and Miami

Following his departure from the White Sox in 2018, Garcia signed with the Tampa Bay Rays, hitting 20 home runs and batting .282/.332/.464.

He then signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. After a shortened 2020 season, Garcia achieved a career-best 29 home runs in 2021, batting .262/.330/.490 and contributing to Milwaukee's NL Central title. This strong performance led to a four-year, $53 million contract with the Miami Marlins.

His time with the Marlins saw a decline in production, with a .217/.260/.322 slash line and 13 home runs. He was released in June 2024. A lower back injury requiring surgery, which would have sidelined him for the 2025 season, contributed significantly to his decision to retire.

Career Totals and Earnings

Over 1100 MLB games with five teams, Garcia recorded over 1000 hits, 500 RBI, and 140 home runs, finishing with a career batting line of .263/.316/.417. Baseball Reference estimates his career earnings at over $84 million.