Enemy Territory: Blue Jays & Yankees Interested in Matt Garza
With the MLB trading deadline just under two months away the hot stove is starting to simmer with anticipation of it blaring with rumors and trade speculations. For now we don’t have to wait to hear the names of the most talked about trade pieces; Kevin Youkilis, Brett Myers, Joe Blanton and Matt Garza just to name a few. And it is the last name mentioned that has numerous AL East clubs starting to engage more interest on the Cubs right hander.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Toronto Blue Jays are “sniffing all over” Garza as a way to shore up their rotation that could use a veteran of his magnitude. Buster Olney confirmed that Garza is available for the right pirce and we know that Theo Epstein wants a multitude of prospects in return if he was to deal Garza. The Blue Jays have enough depth in their minor league systems to explore the notion.
Rosenthal adds this deal would make sense for the Blue Jays as he feels the club is one starter and one hitter short of potentially being considered a real contender for a postseason birth. Garza would do wonders for the Jays staff as both Kyle Drabek and Henderson Alvarez started the year strong but have tapered off somewhat recently, something the Jays will need to correct if they are to hang around in the division.
Last week we learnt that the Yankees were interested in Garza over any other available staring pitcher, this according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Given Garza’s track record of playing in the AL East and being able to handle not only the pressure of competing against those clubs but his ability to contain their powerful offenses, the Yankees think highly of his services, as they should.
Heyman goes on to further state the Yankees don’t hold high regards for the Brewers Zack Greinke given his personal struggles with anxiety mixed in with a New York atmosphere that could be like mixing fire and gasoline. Heyman also says the Yankees front office has concerns with Shaun Marcum and whether he could transition back to an American League type pitcher. Hence the focus on Garza.
The Yankees do have the prospects to throw at Epstein if they get serious about trying to acquire Garza but with multiple moves made in the past that have somewhat depleted the farm system, you have to wonder how far GM Brian Cashman is willing to go.
Garza would make sense for the Red Sox given their starting pitching ERA is third last in all of baseball and how Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reported the Sox focus will be to upgrade their rotation. But again, the question becomes, is Garza worth unloading three, maybe four grade A+ prospects for the 28-year old who’s under team control through 2013?
On the season Garza has made 10 starts going 2-4 with a 4.10 ERA, 1.146 WHIP, 3.0BB/9 and a 8.3K/9. His WAR rating is currently 0.3 but keep in mind he is playing for one of the worst teams in baseball.