The Cubs have traded Sean Marshall, Carlos Zambrano and Andrew Cashner in recent weeks. Could Matt Garza be next? Ken Rosenthal of FOX breaks down the market for Garza and offers more rumors from around the league:
- Cubs execs Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are alarmed by the lack of minor league talent in their own system, so trading Garza might appeal to them. The Yankees, one possible suitor for the right-hander, have had concerns about Garza’s ability to handle New York in the past, Rosenthal reports.
- Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski has said he’s not looking to trade Jacob Turner, but Rosenthal hears the young right-hander is available in the right deal.
- A contender like the Cardinals could make a surprise play for Ryan Madson, but the market for the free agent closer currently looks thin. Agent Scott Boras may wait until Spring Training to find a deal, as he has done in the past.
- Free agent first baseman Derrek Lee expects to land a full-time job, Rosenthal reports. I examined the first base market yesterday.
- The Mariners, who added Hisashi Iwakuma yesterday, are open to signing a veteran at the right price, Rosenthal tweets.
As long as Theo keeps having the attitude that Garza is an ace and should gather him 3-4 top , top prospects, he will be getting no return phone calls.That is overpaying and no GM should give into his greedy demands.
Cashman is not stupid. He will NOT give into THeo’s demands of Montero, Betances and Banuelos . That kind of a return for a #3 starter would label Cashman as an idiot.
I wouldn’t believe for a second that Theo and Hoyer actually think they can get the price they’re asking for Garza. But Garza is a solid number 3 on any staff and that’s always worth something.
you’re insane a 3rd starter….check some stats beyone wins and losses
So basically your argument is to attack me and claim I’m using stats I didn’t actually use in my argument. What are you, a presidential nominee?
I have looked at his stats, ignoring the W/L, and they tend to be all over the place. People keep talking about his FIP last year… but what about the years before that when they were in the 4s? His move to the NL and away from the AL East clearly helped him which makes it difficult to say he’s actually anything more than a number 3.
check some stats beyond 2011
Yeah, only posted the 14th best WAR out of SP last year. But Cubs should totally just take a crap prospects back. You got a backup catcher? With such a strong argument the Cubs have given up.
Not to mention he was 8th in FIP in the NL.
Its not like the so called backup catcher sucks though
This argument has been brought up in every thread about Garza, but Garza is NOT a #3. That’s undervaluing him immensely.
Exactly, he’s a solid #2 that can potentially be a fringy #1.
on none of the teams that made the playoffs last year would he be better than a #3, nor on any of the other teams that will compete this year.
ok, so other than Sabathia, who was better than Garza on the Yankees? Other than Verlander, who was better than Garza on the Tigers? You don’t think he’d be at least the #2 in Milwaukee? St. Louis? Arizona? I’d say he’s at least as good as both of Arizona’s top starters. What about Texas? I suppose Wilson was better but then? Other than Philadelphia and maybe Tampa, Garza was at WORST a #2 on every playoff team last year.
If Epstein doesn’t get a top 20 prospect and a another top 100 prospect and a decent player on top of that, the Cubs should just keep him.
”
Cubs execs Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are alarmed by the lack of minor league talent in their own system”
Alarmed? Were they not aware of how bad it was when they took the job?
Guess Theo just found out the Cubs dont have a AAA team. Glad Im not Theo anymore!
“Cubs execs Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are alarmed by the lack of minor league talent in their own system, so trading Garza might appeal to them.”
Thanks a lot, Jim Hendry…
Of course Garza could handle New York. He won 2 games in the ALCS against New York’s fiercest rivals on the biggest stage to get a team to the World Series. I think it’s Cashman trying to justify the asking price because he won’t trade his big prospects unless its for Felix Hernandez
Hangs onto them much longer, or does not find more SP then they might be pressed into the rotation anyway.
He’s a number 2 on any staff. Labeling him as any less is silly. Another year like last year and he’s a number 1 on half of the staffs in baseball.
His numbers last year were inflated by pitching in the NL central. Not to say he’s not good, but he’s not an ace either. He’s a solid #2 or very good #3.
I personally wouldn’t trade Turner for him… But that’s just me. Turner and a couple non Castellanos prospects is probably fair, I just wouldn’t do it
Turner shouldn’t be dealt than anything less than a pure ace.
inflated numbers pitching in the NL Central? who played in the NLCS…
It also has pitiful offenses of Pit and Hou
I already said he’s very good, but he’s not an ace. Aces are guys like Halliday, King Felix, Weaver, Kershaw, Verlander. He’s not on that level. He’s a solid 2 or good 3 on teams that have two ace pitchers (phi or laa)
You’re using the LCS to make your point? We know the AL East is the best hitting division in baseball and that had 0 teams in the LCS
I would say the Yankees should trade Betances and Romnie for Garza. Nothing more.
I would give up a package of Betances, Romine and one of Warren/ Phelps/Mitchell. Betances is probably more of a Bullpen guy so, I definitley think the Yankees should try and include him in a package for a SP while his value is still high. But I doubt the Yanks are going to add anyone significant.
So you’re essentially saying they won’t trade for Garza.
if it was Banuelos, Romine and Warren I would take it.
I don’t think the Yankees would include Banuelos in any package for Garza which is the right thing to do.
Probably true. I don’t think the Cubs take a deal where Betances is the best chip. Like a Yankee fan above said, he’s probably a BP guy…
I seriously doubt the Cardinals get Madson, especially for the price he’ll be demanding. Motte did great in September and October, and is much cheaper. Doesn’t make much sense for STL..
If the cardinals can get madson for 3yrs/21mil. I would do it, but otherwise no deal. Motte is very good but if we can get madson then our bullpen would be amazing and we could trade 1 or 2 relievers for a second baseman (hoping Orlando Hudson).
I wouldn’t mind Orlando Hudson. He’s a great defender, and with Furcal, we’d have one of the best double play combinations in the league. I kinda wanna see what Descalso can do though..
Garza happened to be the ALCS MVP in 2008. His playoff record happens to be pretty good. Getting to the playoffs means little until you win a championship. Garza can help a good team become a better one. Hes worth a minimum of 2 top 50 prospects, otherwise Epstein and Hoyer should keep him.