Chicago Cubs sign one-year contract with Matt Garza – MLB News
The Chicago Cubs have avoided arbitration as they signed Matt Garza in a one-year deal worth $9.5 million. If the two had not come up with an agreement, arbitration would have been decided upon by a three-member panel.
However, both the player and the club avoided arbitration, going ahead with the deal which was mutually acceptable. Garza was the last player whose contract was decided prior to Spring Training without arbitration.
Chicago Cubs’ president of baseball operations Theo Epstein is visibly satisfied with the contract. He recognised the fact that Garza has remained an invaluable part of the defence, providing some tremendous pitching sustenance to the team. It is this quality
that the club decided to seal the contract with the player.
"I think Matt Garza is exactly the type of pitcher that you want to build around," Epstein said. "He's a proven performer in the playoffs. I think last year he had his best season, all things being equal. It's hard to find a top-of-the-rotation guy, and
if you can keep them around, I think that's always compelling for the club.”
Prior to the deal with Matt Garza, the club had to consider the demand the player made. He had reported to have filed for $12.5 million. It was after deliberations that the Chicago Cubs and the player mutually agreed on the $9.5 million add to it other incentives
that make it around just over $10 million.
“That said, I've been honest with you guys that we're in a mode where we have to listen on everybody. If there's a way to improve the long-term outlook for this club in a significant manner, then we can't look past opportunities like that.”
With Matt Garza avoiding arbitration, the 40-man roster is almost complete for the Chicago Cubs; enabling the team to brace itself for Spring Training. The pitching lineup is now stronger after successfully retaining Garza and Shaun Marcum; the Cubs will
definitely be much more competitive in the upcoming 2012 Major League Baseball regular season. It will be interesting to see what type of impact Garza has for the Cubs, as the team look to him for some pitching excellence.http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120203&content_id=26569710&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
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