This may be one of my favorite profiles to write because at this point Matt Garza should be the Pirates #1 target. After the injury to Wandy Rodriguez the Pirates are left with only two battle tested, pennant race experienced pitchers in AJ Burnett and Francisco Liriano. I'm in the camp that is reluctant that Wandy will pitch again this year, even though he very well could beginning in mid August, and I don't want to count on Jeff Locke or Charlie Morton even though they have been stellar so far. I leave out Gerrit Cole because his innings limit will in all likelyhood remove him from September and/or October baseball. So when you look at it this way, starting pitcher just became a need and Garza is a perfect fit.
Garza is not part of the Cubs future and can be had. He has playoff and pennant race experience with the Rays and can be a game changer in a rotation. He started off late this year because of an injury but Garza is still looking stellar with 3-1 with a 3.83 ERA, a K/9 of 8.6, and BB/9 of 2.7. Even better is the fact that these align right with his career numbers. He has a career ERA of 3.84, K/9 of 7.6, and BB/9 of 3.1. He's also never had a season with an ERA above 4.00 or lower than 3.00 (minus his rookie year in 2006). He's madly consistent, so he's not going to stray far from that mean. The best part about Garza is his playoff stats. He's 2-1 in four games started with an ERA of 3.48, a K/9 of 8.4, and BB/9 of 4.1. Still in line with his consistent, strong regular season starts. This is a guy that can help an inexperienced Pirate rotation in the clutch situations. So, drawbacks?
I see two issues for possibly acquiring Garza. First is the fact that he's a rental. Neal Huntington does not like rentals that much but has added them. He added two in 2011 via Derrek Lee and Ryan Ludwick. But in 2012, he added three players (Wandy, Gaby, Travis Snider) all with more control but also tried for Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence, both rentals. So it's a mixed bag with NH and the thing that really is the issue is the price. If the price is right I don't think NH cares about rental or not. Garza's price could be pretty steep after Ricky Nolasco (the big fish on the market) gets dealt and the losers on him come calling for Garza. I think because Garza is a rental, and if NH acts now, he could get Garza at a cheaper price than after Nolasco gets moved. It'll cost probably one top ten prospect and a top twenty guy but I think we can afford that with our strong farm system. It's a tricky spot but I think NH can navigate it.
My conclusion on Garza is to go get him. Now. He's the only pitcher on the market right now (unless Cliff Lee is really available) that has playoff experience. That's what the Pirates need. A pitcher with that competive feeling that has done it before. And if they wait too long the price will go too far up. With Wandy's injury this has to be a need and Garza is the perfect man to fill it. Heck, I profiled Nate Schierholtz earlier this week and maybe the Pirates could swing both of those guys for two top ten prospects and a top twenty guy? That would be best case scenario. So to reiterate my opinion. Garza needs to be a top target of the Bucs and they need to make a strong effort to get him. I'll leave you with this old saying that has always been true, you can never have enough pitching.
Tomorrow's trade target will be OF Alex Rios
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