MLB Trade Rumors: Would Theo Epstein Ever Deal Matt Garza to Boston Red Sox?

After spending nine years with the Boston Red Sox organization (2002-2011), former general manager Theo Epstein accepted a position with the Chicago Cubs as their president of baseball operations in October of 2011.

Epstein took out a full page spread in the Sunday, October 5th edition of the Boston Globe, thanking Boston fans and explaining his departure from the team by citing football coaching legend Bill Walsh:

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Football legend Bill Walsh used to say that coaches and executives should seek change after 10 years with the same team. The theory is that both the individual and the organization benefit from a change after so much time together. The executive gets rebirth and the energy that comes with a new challenge; the organization gets a fresh perspective, and the chance for true change that comes with new leadership. This idea resonated with me. Although I tried my best to fight it, I couldn’t escape the conclusion that both the Red Sox and I would benefit from a change sometime soon."

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In his farewell piece, he only praised the Red Sox organization and fanbase and was courteous leaving town. In fact, it may have been one of the smoother departures in recent Red Sox history.

Fast forward to January 2011 and Theo's new ball club, the Cubs, have a player that his old ball club, the Red Sox, have some measure of interest in. That player is Matt Garza.  

Epstein has gone on record to state that the Cubs are in full-on rebuilding mode and will not be signing any major free agents this offseason, such as Prince Fielder. This came as a surprise as signing a player like Fielder would make an immediate impact for his new ball club.  However, Theo has a vision, and he also has full control (essentially) of the team.  

Epstein wants a challenge. He is looking to shed the team of bad contracts either via trade or simply waiting them out (uh, Zambrano, Soriano...) while building around the team's farm system and younger players.

Having said that, by trading Matt Garza, he could both cut payroll and obtain some young talent in return. While Jon Heyman of CBSSports reported this week that there is no clear favorite in the Garza sweepstakes, one can only hope the Red Sox do hold a slight edge.

First, obviously the Cubs still owe the Red Sox compensation for Theo Epstein. At this point it may very well end up being a Dale Sveum autographed jersey. However, that fact should allow the Sox some type of leverage in the bidding war, even if for nothing more than a gentleman's agreement to allow the Sox a chance to match their best offer.

Secondly, Garza is a No. 2 in the Cubs rotation. He actually performed better than his 2011 10-10 record shows. It is worth noting that his 10 wins tied Ryan Dempster for the team lead last season. Garza also led Cub starters in ERA, at 3.32, and strikeouts. with 197.

Here's the catch: Garza made a shade under $6 million in 2011 and is primed to make more this season in arbitration, and he is only under team control for the next two years. Unless Epstein wants to lock him up long term, now may be the best time to deal him.  

Third, Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer are very familiar with the Red Sox farm system. There are players there they covet, I surmise, otherwise they would not have drafted them. Epstein and Hoyer have the best insight at the negotiating table with new Red Sox GM Ben Cherington in dictating what Garza's fair market value is—versus what the Red Sox have to offer.

Seems like a pretty perfect fit right?

On the flip side, there have been plenty of rumors and propaganda on Boston sports radio insinuating that Theo Epstein and Red Sox president Larry Lucchino have no love lost. Could this be a major point of contention—enough to hold up a deal?  

Also, Theo Epstein is on record as stating Garza is "exactly the type of pitcher we want to build around." But those of us in Boston have learned to read between the lines of Theo's rhetoric. He could be telling the truth or he could be blowing smoke.

Get used to that Chicago.

The bottom line is, would Theo deal Garza to the Red Sox? Absolutely, especially while their farm system is ripe with players Epstein likes and is familiar. A deal to the Red Sox could indeed happen, and it could happen soon.