With the Chicago Cubs headed in a new direction under new team President Theo Epstein, they have made no secret that starting pitcher Matt Garza is on the trading block. The New York Yankees, meanwhile, have let it be known since the middle of last season their burning need for a number two starting pitcher to put behind CC Sabathia. Sounds like a match, right? Maybe not but you would think it is something the Yankees have to consider as the winter meetings are ready to take place next week.
Comparing Garza to Ubaldo Jiminez, who I still believe the Yankees should have ponied up the necessary prospects to get at July's trading deadline, the Yankees probably will not have to give up the entire farm to get Garza. He would without a doubt, fill the role as a second ace and will certainly give the Yankees another strength in the postseason, particularly in a five game series. (If the Yankees got Jiminez, they would have beaten the Tigers and could have beaten the Rangers to get to the World Series. But they would have had to trade top pitching prospects Dellin Betances, Manny Banualos, Andrew Brackman and catcher/ designated hitter Jesus Montero to get him.) Giving the Yankees a one two punch at the top of the rotation will give them advantages against almost any American League team. Only Detroit, Boston and maybe Tampa Bay and either 2011 Texas with CJ Wilson or a 2012 Angels team with Wilson would be able to provide anything close to what the Yankees would have with Sabathia and Garza. Outside of St. Louis who won the 2011 World Series as a true "team," past World Series winners, including the 2009 Yankees have won with excellent starting pitching. And at the very least, it will get a team deep into the postseason where the Yankees expect to be every year.
To get Garza, they will have to give up some of the farm, but not the entire thing. I would be surprised if Theo turned down a package of Betances and Montero because I don't think he can land a better package anywhere else. The thing is, the Yankees have to finally pull the trigger. They still have the other pitching prospects. And lets be real, if you have three "can't miss" pitching prospects you'd be happy if one of them makes it and does well. Hopefully the Yankees do the right thing and get the second ace in their pitching staff they need. If the Yankees hold out and keep Betances, Banualos and Brackman, hopefully they become Linecum, Cain and Bumgarter and not Isringhausen, Pulsipher and Wilson. Odds are in favor of only one of them making it and not getting hurt. To me its a no brainer.
Comparing Garza to Ubaldo Jiminez, who I still believe the Yankees should have ponied up the necessary prospects to get at July's trading deadline, the Yankees probably will not have to give up the entire farm to get Garza. He would without a doubt, fill the role as a second ace and will certainly give the Yankees another strength in the postseason, particularly in a five game series. (If the Yankees got Jiminez, they would have beaten the Tigers and could have beaten the Rangers to get to the World Series. But they would have had to trade top pitching prospects Dellin Betances, Manny Banualos, Andrew Brackman and catcher/ designated hitter Jesus Montero to get him.) Giving the Yankees a one two punch at the top of the rotation will give them advantages against almost any American League team. Only Detroit, Boston and maybe Tampa Bay and either 2011 Texas with CJ Wilson or a 2012 Angels team with Wilson would be able to provide anything close to what the Yankees would have with Sabathia and Garza. Outside of St. Louis who won the 2011 World Series as a true "team," past World Series winners, including the 2009 Yankees have won with excellent starting pitching. And at the very least, it will get a team deep into the postseason where the Yankees expect to be every year.
To get Garza, they will have to give up some of the farm, but not the entire thing. I would be surprised if Theo turned down a package of Betances and Montero because I don't think he can land a better package anywhere else. The thing is, the Yankees have to finally pull the trigger. They still have the other pitching prospects. And lets be real, if you have three "can't miss" pitching prospects you'd be happy if one of them makes it and does well. Hopefully the Yankees do the right thing and get the second ace in their pitching staff they need. If the Yankees hold out and keep Betances, Banualos and Brackman, hopefully they become Linecum, Cain and Bumgarter and not Isringhausen, Pulsipher and Wilson. Odds are in favor of only one of them making it and not getting hurt. To me its a no brainer.
RSS Feed
