Matt Garza moves to Chicago Cubs in eight-player trade with Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay Rays will get a boost from a deal that will see pitcher Matt Garza move to the Chicago Cubs. The most talked about trade at the moment happens to involve the Cubs and the Rays. Matt Garza is one of the best pitchers in the American League,
and his move to the National League spells the end of an illustrious career in Florida.
The deal, which will see two minor leaguers and Garza move to the Cubs, will bring in five top prospects to the Rays. The Cubs’ 2010 pitcher of the year, Chris Archer, will be tied with shortstop Hak-Ju- Lee to lead the replacement pack in the Rays line
up. The other prospects to make their way to the American League East will be Catcher Robinson Chirinos, outfielder Sam Fuld and Minor League Player of the Year, Brandon Guyer.
In addition to Garza, the Cubs will receive outfielder Fernando Perez and left-handed pitching prospect Zach Rossup.
Nevertheless, Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry seems content with the deal, which sees a 27-year-old player make his way to the Cubs roster. There are still three years left on Garza’s contract in entering the free agency and at the moment, he’s considered
a top brass pitcher.
"You have a guy who we feel is in the prime of his career," Hendry said. "He's pitched in arguably the toughest division in baseball. He's pitched at the highest level and on the biggest stage and seems to have liked that part of the action. From our work
done with other people who have played with him, coached him in the past, this is a guy who wanted to pitch against the Yankees and the Red Sox. He wanted the challenge. "
For Garza, the challenge is different. He will join the likes of Ryan Dempster, Randy Wells, Tom Gorzelanny, Carlos Zambrano and Carlos Silva in the pitching roster. The pitcher will hope he can improve on his performances last season. Garza was formidable
last season as he closed down 15 wins in 33 games. His 10 losses didn’t seem to count as much, since his strike out tally went up to 150 during the year. His earning runs ratio however was 3.91. Matt talked about his experience with the Rays and reflected
on the low patch in the season.
"Before the Rays won 96 games, they were in the cellar of the AL East," Garza said. "We just went in there with all positives. We went in there (and said), 'We're in for a dogfight, so let's go get them.' That's the same attitude I take year in and year
out. It's going to be a dogfight no matter who you face. Our opponents are Major League ballplayers, so nothing is going to be handed to us. Right now, it's going to be a tough race, and let's see how we get ready and get it done. Why not?"
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