ChicagoDawg1991
Guest
As everyone knows, the trade deadline is a month and a week away and there is quite a lot of trade speculation. Among the players in that is Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza who no doubt would be an upgrade for any pitching staff in this league, whether its being the #2, #3, #4, #5 or maybe an ace.
Since the Cubs are in the process of rebuilding under Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, Garza has been mentioned among the names of players on the Cubs that could be traded by the July 31st deadline. Question is who would go after him? Ill tell you which team should go after him-The White Sox.
Why should they go after the current North Sider? Hes starting to go into his prime at age 28, hes got 5 pitches that Tampa Bay Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey, a former pick of the White Sox in 1983 said of Garza(while in Tampa) "has the best stuff on the staff". Hes certainly no stranger when playing at the Cell as he was a member of the Minnesota Twins for his first 2 years, then a member of the Tampa Bay Rays for 3 season and of course the last 2 seasons as a Cub.
How does he fare when pitching in the Cell? His first start there was on July 6th, 2007 as a member of the Twins were he threw 6 scoreless innings for his 1st win, allowing just 5 hits, 3 walks and struck-out 6 while throwing 99 pitches in a 12-0 Twins victory. The 2nd start in the Cell however on September 8th later that year was rocky as he went just 4 innings allowing 5 runs(3 earned) on 9 hits, 3 walks and struck-out 5 in 88 pitches.
As a member of the Rays starting in 2008, Garza started Game 4 of the ALDS going 6 innings, however he gave up 5 runs on 7 hits, 4 walks, struck-out 4 and took the loss in a 5-3 Sox victory. He would not face the Sox in the Cell until he was a Cub on June 21st, 2011 recording a no decision while throwing 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, 1 walk and 4 punchouts. This year on June 18th, he won his 3rd game of the year going 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits, 1 walk and recorded 6 punchouts.
What does that calculate overall? 27 innings, 15 runs(13 earned) on 30 hits, 12 walks, 25 strikeouts and a 2-1 record in 6 starts with a 4.33 ERA. While these may not be impressive numbers, he hasn't been known to be a road warrior and the AL has some of(if not) the best offensive teams in the Major Leagues. Funny thing is, hes only 28 years old!
His current salary is $9.5 Million, and is eligible for salary arbitration next season with him being a potential free agent in 2014. From what I've read he is seeking a long term deal and if he were to become a free agent, he'd be one of the top pitchers on the market. This year(including today's start) he has started 14 games with 9 of them listed as quality starts(3 ERs or less in 6 IP just in case anyone forgot).
His last 5 starts(including today) have been quality starts going 6 innings in each of them but sadly he hasn't been given the offensive support from the Cubs who have only scored 264 runs(26th in the Majors at the moment). The White Sox have scored 332 runs(6th in the Majors at the moment)
With Phillip Humber and John Danks both struggling and both on the shelf for a while, the South Sider's middle of the rotation is being scrambled. Kenny Williams already made a trade for Kevin Youkilis to help out their 3rd baseman problems, now he needs to make a deal for a quality starting pitcher that will give you 6+ allowing 3 or less runs to help take some pressure off Chris Sale, Jake Peavy and new comer Jose Quintana.
I'm pretty sure Jed Hoyer will listen to offers, and even with a potential extension being talked about it doesn't guarantee that Garza will stay as a member of the Cubs. One thing's for sure if hes traded he will be going to a playoff contender and I think the White Sox are just up the ally. If he does go from Cubbie pinstripe blue to White Sox pinstripe black, he will definitely gets the support and faith he rightfully deserves.
Since the Cubs are in the process of rebuilding under Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, Garza has been mentioned among the names of players on the Cubs that could be traded by the July 31st deadline. Question is who would go after him? Ill tell you which team should go after him-The White Sox.
Why should they go after the current North Sider? Hes starting to go into his prime at age 28, hes got 5 pitches that Tampa Bay Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey, a former pick of the White Sox in 1983 said of Garza(while in Tampa) "has the best stuff on the staff". Hes certainly no stranger when playing at the Cell as he was a member of the Minnesota Twins for his first 2 years, then a member of the Tampa Bay Rays for 3 season and of course the last 2 seasons as a Cub.
How does he fare when pitching in the Cell? His first start there was on July 6th, 2007 as a member of the Twins were he threw 6 scoreless innings for his 1st win, allowing just 5 hits, 3 walks and struck-out 6 while throwing 99 pitches in a 12-0 Twins victory. The 2nd start in the Cell however on September 8th later that year was rocky as he went just 4 innings allowing 5 runs(3 earned) on 9 hits, 3 walks and struck-out 5 in 88 pitches.
As a member of the Rays starting in 2008, Garza started Game 4 of the ALDS going 6 innings, however he gave up 5 runs on 7 hits, 4 walks, struck-out 4 and took the loss in a 5-3 Sox victory. He would not face the Sox in the Cell until he was a Cub on June 21st, 2011 recording a no decision while throwing 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, 1 walk and 4 punchouts. This year on June 18th, he won his 3rd game of the year going 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits, 1 walk and recorded 6 punchouts.
What does that calculate overall? 27 innings, 15 runs(13 earned) on 30 hits, 12 walks, 25 strikeouts and a 2-1 record in 6 starts with a 4.33 ERA. While these may not be impressive numbers, he hasn't been known to be a road warrior and the AL has some of(if not) the best offensive teams in the Major Leagues. Funny thing is, hes only 28 years old!
His current salary is $9.5 Million, and is eligible for salary arbitration next season with him being a potential free agent in 2014. From what I've read he is seeking a long term deal and if he were to become a free agent, he'd be one of the top pitchers on the market. This year(including today's start) he has started 14 games with 9 of them listed as quality starts(3 ERs or less in 6 IP just in case anyone forgot).
His last 5 starts(including today) have been quality starts going 6 innings in each of them but sadly he hasn't been given the offensive support from the Cubs who have only scored 264 runs(26th in the Majors at the moment). The White Sox have scored 332 runs(6th in the Majors at the moment)
With Phillip Humber and John Danks both struggling and both on the shelf for a while, the South Sider's middle of the rotation is being scrambled. Kenny Williams already made a trade for Kevin Youkilis to help out their 3rd baseman problems, now he needs to make a deal for a quality starting pitcher that will give you 6+ allowing 3 or less runs to help take some pressure off Chris Sale, Jake Peavy and new comer Jose Quintana.
I'm pretty sure Jed Hoyer will listen to offers, and even with a potential extension being talked about it doesn't guarantee that Garza will stay as a member of the Cubs. One thing's for sure if hes traded he will be going to a playoff contender and I think the White Sox are just up the ally. If he does go from Cubbie pinstripe blue to White Sox pinstripe black, he will definitely gets the support and faith he rightfully deserves.
