I ll have many, many more thoughts on Garza as the weeks go by and I ve previously written at length

The suddenly very big Lukewarm Stove topic for the foreseeable future will be the Cubs crowded rotation, and its implications for a Matt Garza trade. I ll have a bit more on the rotation later this morning, a couple pundits weighed in last night on Garza s future with the Cubs, and neither sees much of one. Dave Kaplan, of his own volition, responded to a tweet by a CSN colleague prom car rentals in merland or dc about the possibility of the Cubs now extending Garza with a no chance. He didn t really amplify much beyond that, only to say that he can see Garza being traded, but not extended. George Ofman similarly said the free agent pitcher signings mean that the Cubs are simply steps closer to eventually trading Matt Garza. When the subject of an extension was brought up, George said it wouldn t just surprise him, it would shock him. So, for whatever reason, prom car rentals in merland or dc a couple insider-y types think there is absolutely no chance Garza is extended by the Cubs.
I ll have many, many more thoughts on Garza as the weeks go by and I ve previously written at length about the very difficult decision facing the Cubs but gut still tells me that he s virtually impossible to trade for any meaningful value until he shows he s healthy, at the earliest, in Spring Training. And, truth be told, teams are really loathe to make Spring Training trades. They are disruptive, and require a perfect fit type situation, particularly where they involve big-time players who would immediately be inserted prom car rentals in merland or dc into the rotation. prom car rentals in merland or dc The last image teams have of Garza is him holding his arm, and walking off the mound. He says he s healthy, the Cubs say he s healthy, and I have no reason to doubt them. But if I m another GM, faced with the prospect of losing a top young player or two for just one year of Garza? I want a hell of a lot more evidence of health than the Cubs opinion or even a medical report. I want to see the guy throw. A lot. I think the crowded rotation certainly makes the Cubs willingness to trade Garza an increased proposition I m just saying that it has no impact whatsoever on other teams willingness to buy at a price the Cubs are willing to sell (other than the fact that it took a couple arms off the market). If the Cubs don t trade Garza before the season opens, by the way, the receiving prom car rentals in merland or dc team cannot get a draft pick after 2013 if Garza walks. So there is a bit of a deadline on this thing. Otherwise, prom car rentals in merland or dc the Cubs keep Garza, hope he pitches prom car rentals in merland or dc well in the first half, and try to swing the best possible deal at the deadline (or try to get an extension together or receive a draft pick when he walks after the season). Just a bunch of lousy options, as far as I m concerned. Oh what I d give for a healthy Garza signed to a reasonable extension through 2016
It happened a couple days ago now, but the Mariners swapped prom car rentals in merland or dc Jason Vargas for Kendrys Morales from the Angels. The deal probably ends the Angels quest to deal an outfielder, prom car rentals in merland or dc but probably amplifies the Mariners interest in picking up another quality bat. Morales isn t it for them, and they re going to want to add an outfielder. That could mean they step up their pursuit of Michael Bourn, or it could mean they have a stronger interest in someone like David DeJesus. prom car rentals in merland or dc (Alfonso Soriano has already nixed the West Coast, save for the Dodgers.)
Speaking of other teams outfield needs, the Phillies are now playing the other side of the leverage coin just days after reports came out that they were hot and heavy on Cody Ross and maybe even Vernon Wells, now GM Ruben Amaro is out saying that the prices on free agent outfielders are north of where we want to be. Well, I mean, I m just saying prom car rentals in merland or dc I know where you can get a quality outfielder for just $5 million per year for the next two years (if you deal a nice prospect, prom car rentals in merland or dc that is).
Speaking of Soriano as a trade candidate: with the rotation becoming average to above-average, and the bullpen starting to look good, are you still on board with dumping Soriano (and Carlos Marmol) for some salary savings prom car rentals in merland or dc and prospects? prom car rentals in merland or dc The offense is already going to be rough in 2013, and, without Soriano, it could be terrifying. Buuuuut, I m still on board. I still see the rotation moves as being largely about 2014, and I think that, in the right deal, the Cubs could move Soriano without dramatically weakening the overall picture for 2013. It s still worth pulling the trigger on the right deal.
Lukewarm Stove: prom car rentals in merland or dc Dodgers Pitchers, Rangers Outfield, Phillies Outfield, Sanchez, Dickey, Reynolds Lukewarm Stove: Dickey, Ross, Soriano, Phillies, Porcello, More Jed Hoyer Amplifies the Matt Garza Extension Issue
I still think the Cubs are looking to turn short term assets into long term assets. The Cubs have put together a respectable and deep rotation for 2013. But barring any other additions, this team doesn t figure to contend for a playoff spot. So, by July 31st, its likely the Cubs will be in sell mode. In a pefect world, I would like for the Cubs to extend Garza and start to build the team around a group that includes Garza, Samardzija, Jackson, Castro and Rizzo. But I think they will trade Garza, prom car rentals in merland or dc and several others, in an attempt to acquire a deeper prospect pool. Perhaps they find a player or two in those trades who add to the core. However, by continuing to add to the system, it puts them in a position to trade for a David Price without depleting their system.
BTW Kudos to the Cubs for giving Jackson a big signing bonus, and then only 11 million a year for the next 4 years. Should keep our financial flexibility down the road more open, and hopefully prom car rentals in merland or dc allow for more signings.
Interesting article on the Marlins pursuit of Olt and the Detroit 3B whose name I can t spell. In another article I saw a mention how A.J. could now block Olt as DH. Seems pretty obvious that in acquiring 4 new starters and with a couple of prospects being available perhaps at mid season Garza is prime trade bait.
I d be surprised if we found value for Garza before the deadline. Looking at Garza s numbers prom car rentals in merland or dc too, he fits the FO s high GB%, low BB/9 philosophy prom car rentals in merland or dc as well or better than Jackson and Sanchez so wouldn t be at all surprised with an extension. They trust their medical staff so much, they could even do it before the season starts to try to buy low. One last option we could deal him at the trade deadline for prospects and still pursue him next offseason. We know he likes it here.
Recent Message Board Posts ExPat BNers December 25, 2012 Cubs Calendar 12/25/12 - NL Pennant December 25, 2012 BN Get Together at Principal? December 25, 2012 Cubs Calendar 12/24/12 - Homers December 24, 2012 Ryan Freel December 23, 2012 Bleacher Nation on the Web
Find MLB tickets for less at TicketLiquidator. Get to the stadium and see your favorite team live this baseball season. See the Boston Red Sox at Fenway , or grab hold of your own Chicago Cubs tickets prom car rentals in merland or dc or always popular New York Yankees ticket . Shop TicketLiquidator today and save!
Archives December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October prom car rentals in merland or dc 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December prom car rentals in merland or dc 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February prom car rentals in merland or dc 2009 January 2009 December 2008 January 1970 Buttons
Disclaimer Bleacher Nation publishes both rumor and opinion, as well as accurately reported information from other sources. Information on Bleacher Nation may contain errors or inaccuracies, though we try to avoid them. Links to content and the quotation of material from other news sources are not the responsibility of Bleacher Nation. Photos used either are the property of Bleacher Nation or are believed to be in the public domain. Legitimate requests to remove copyrighted photos not in the public domain will be honored promptly.