MLB Trade Rumors: Matt Garza Would Be Brilliant Acquisition for Detroit Tigers

When Matt Garza is on a team that gives him run support, he puts up good all-around numbers. When he's on a team that can at best be described as inconsistent, like the Chicago Cubs, his win-loss record suffers. The Tigers reached the ALCS last year and were burned by a lack of pitching depth. Garza to Detroit is a match made in heaven. 

We'll get into what Garza would contribute directly to the Tigers in a moment. But before we do that, take a look at some past reports. On Dec. 28, Didier Morais of NESN reported that the Red Sox had Garza on the radar. Jeff Bradley of the Newark Star-Ledger has reported that the Yankees were also interested in the Cubs' right-hander.

So, right there you have a bonus. The Red Sox and Yankees are each potential playoff opponents for the Tigers. Getting Garza would keep him off of each of those teams. 

The Detroit News is reporting that the Cubs and Tigers are far along in talks that would bring Garza to the Tigers. This is nothing but good for the Tigers. It would give the Tigers one of the American League's top pitching rotations. With the exception of the Angels, I would actually take this rotation over any, and they could beat the Angels in a playoff series. 

If Garza becomes a Tiger, take a look at this rotation's 2011 numbers.

Pitcher	Wins	Losses	ERA	WHIP	Age on Opening Day 2012
Justin Verlander	24	5	2.40	0.920	29
Doug Fister	11	13	2.83	1.063	28
Matt Garza	10	10	3.32	1.258	28
Max Scherzer	15	9	4.43	1.349	27
Rick Porcello	14	9	4.75	1.407	23

Fister was traded to the Tigers during the season and had a 8-1 record with a sub-2.00 ERA in Detroit. Garza spent last season with the Cubs, pitching in a hitter's ballpark for a team that didn't score runs. Comerica Park is a fair park for pitchers, as are most of the AL Central's stadiums.

The Tigers would also score runs, which the Cubs didn't do. More than that, in a playoff series, he would have an upper hand over the opponent's No. 3 (or Fister would if they put Garza ahead), and would set Scherzer up in a far more favorable game.

That's what the playoffs are all about, and it's hard to see the Tigers not making the playoffs. The American League Central lacks a team that will step up and bring a good challenge to the Tigers atop the division. 

That puts the Tigers into the playoffs, with a squad that will stack up to anyone. They have an offensive foundation, and a pitching rotation that will be incredibly hard to beat. 

In addition to that, look at the ages of those pitchers. Not a single one has hit his 30th birthday, and the best and oldest is the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, and league MVP. 

Garza has had a sub 4.00 ERA every year since his rookie season of 2007. That's a model of consistency that will serve the Tigers well in 2012, and beyond. If this trade goes through, look for the Tigers to be a dominant AL Central team and World Series contender for a few seasons.

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