Red Sox Backing Off On Matt Garza

Just as one rumor heats up another one seems to cool off.  At least that’s the way it’s been going with the Red Sox as the July trading deadline approaches.

Red Sox fans have heard the name Matt Garza since well back into the winter.  The club was linked to potential trades for the former Rays hurler back then and those rumors have never really dropped off.  Until now it seems.

Joe McDonald of ESPN Boston reports that the Red Sox interest in Garza has diminished since Garza was removed from his start on the weekend with what is being called an arm strain.  While the injury doesn’t appear to be serious for Garza, it could be enough for the Sox to explore other options ie: Josh Johnson.  Given the injuries that the Red Sox have faced all year and the under achieving performances from Josh Beckett and Jon Lester, acquiring a potential starter who is battling what could be an annoying strain isn’t what Boston needs.  See McDonald’s quote below:

"“The Red Sox also were eying Chicago Cubs starter Matt Garza. But Boston’s interest has decreased since the right-hander was removed from his start on Saturday with an arm strain, because the Red Sox don’t want to take a gamble if Garza is injured, the source said."

Should Garza continue to battle the injury then his trade value is surely to drop.  At that point, should it happen it would be a crossroads that Ben Cherington would have to decipher on.  Take the plunge and run the risk or throw a line elsewhere in the baseball world and see if he can snag a master angler!