MLB Trade Rumors: Pitching Studs Still There for the Taking

While the Hot Stove season is nearing its end and the season is not far away, there are still good players out there that can impact a club. 

These players all fit that mold. They would instantly make a team better by adding depth to the rotation. They're also all available on the trade market. 

Matt Garza

The Detroit News reported that the Tigers are interested. This followed reports from Didier Morais of NESN and Jeff Bradley of the Newark Star-Ledger that had linked the Red Sox and Yankees as being interested. 

Garza is a good pitcher. He only won 10 games in 2011, but played on a bad team that gave him limited support. He had a respectable ERA of 3.32 and a WHIP of 1.258. As a point of reference, Yovani Gallardo had a higher ERA and a slightly lower WHIP but won 17 games. Derek Holland and Ivan Nova each won 16 with a higher ERA and WHIP. 

The fact that Garza has been linked to these places means that a deal is likely to go down, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him be traded to another team. Garza's not an ace, but as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter, he's a nightmare for opposing teams in a playoff series.

Wandy Rodriguez

According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports, the market for Rodriguez is relatively bare.

But we need to ask ourselves a question. Would this even be a story if the Astros weren't looking to move him? No, it wouldn't be.

The fact that there's no interest in him is baffling. Playing for the pitiful Houston Astros in a hitter friendly National League Central, he's put up respectable numbers. Take a look at what Rodriguez has done since 2008.

Season	W-L	ERA	WHIP
2008	9-7	3.54	1.31
2009	14-12	3.02	1.24
2010	11-12	3.60	1.29
2011	11-11	3.49	1.31

Put him on a team that scores consistent runs and has bullpen help, and Rodriguez will be a consistent 15-game winner for the next few seasons. The fact that he's not generating any interest in puzzling. But Houston is clearly looking to move him.

Brett Myers

Shortly after the season ended, Heyman reported that the Astros are looking to move their veteran players.

A lot has happened in the baseball world since the beginning of December, but very little had changed for the Astros. If they were shopping Myers then, he can be acquired now. 

Myers is not unlike Rodriguez. The wins and losses haven't been there, but he's the kind of pitcher that can put out a few strong seasons with a change of scenery. If the Astros are looking to move him, then a contender (or fringe contender) needs to make that move. He can anchor the back end of a rotation quite well.

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