MLB Trade Rumors: 5 Teams Freddy Garcia May Attract Interest from at Deadline

Freddy Garcia is a member of the New York Yankees' starting rotation...for now.

With Michael Pineda on the disabled list and Andy Pettitte working on a comeback, it's only a matter of time before Garcia becomes expendable.

Pettitte's expected to make his debut sometime in May, while Pineda will likely see time in the minors before he cracks the big league rotation.

Garcia told ESPNNew York he would accept a bullpen assignment, but I'm not entirely sure that there will be a spot for him when the time comes.

If the Yankees were to attempt and trade away the 35-year-old Garcia, they would likely be able to obtain a bench bat or a mid-level prospect in return.

Teams are always looking for pitching at the deadline, and Garcia could be a cheaper alternative to some other highly-priced hurlers.

Here are just a few teams that could come calling at the deadline.

Miami Marlins

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com tweeted last week that the Yankees had offered Garcia to the Miami Marlins in exchange for a member of the bullpen.

The Fish weren't biting (sorry, I had to).

The Marlins already have a very deep rotation comprised of Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Anibal Sanchez, Ricky Nolasco and Carlos Zambrano.

Out of the five though, two are major health risks.

Johnson and Sanchez have both missed significant time over their careers due to injury. If one or both are injured again at the deadline, look for the Marlins to call the Yankees to try and restart Garcia talks.

If they're still unwilling to part with a member of the bullpen, the Yankees would probably listen if Chris Coghlan was offered.

After a great rookie season in 2009, Coghlan has fallen off the past two seasons. He may not even be given a spot on the Opening Day roster.

The Yankees would possibly pick up the heir apparent to Nick Swisher in right field on the cheap if he can put it back together.

Look for the Marlins and Yankees to have talks about Garcia as the deadline approaches. 

St. Louis Cardinals

With Chris Carpenter out indefinitely and Adam Wainwright returning from Tommy John surgery, the St. Louis Cardinals may not have the starting pitching depth that many believe.

Lance Lynn will be taking over for Carpenter while he's recovering from a nerve ailment in his throwing shoulder.

Lynn has started just two games in his major league career, and has only pitched in a total of 34.2 innings. He is definitely inexperienced, and may not be as consistent as Cardinals' fans would like in 2012.

Jaime Garcia, Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook form the rest of the rotation. Garcia has turned into one of the most consistent lefties in the game, while Lohse is coming off arguably his best season in the league.

Westbrook, on the other hand, struggled at times last season. Despite tossing 183.1 innings, Westbrook recorded a 4.66 ERA. He had a WHIP of 1.53 and allowed 16 home runs.

He may not have many good days left, so the Cardinals could look to upgrade.

The Yankees would likely ask for Allen Craig from the Cardinals, but it's highly unlikely that Craig goes anywhere.

It's more likely that the Yankees would receive a mid-level outfield prospect from the Cardinals in exchange for Garcia.

If Carpenter isn't back by the All-Star break, look for the Cardinals to make some calls.

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners have arguably the weakest rotation in all of baseball.

After Felix Hernandez, probably one of the top-five pitchers in the game, the Mariners have Justin Vargas, Hector Noesi, Blake Beavan and Kevin Millwood.

They probably won't be in contention at the deadline, but the Mariners could match up well with the Yankees for Garcia.

Outfielder Casper Wells could be available, or the Yankees could seek out an arm from the Mariners minor league system.

This would be a good fit for Garcia, as he started his career in Seattle. He had arguably his best seasons there, and he might enjoy a reunion.

This is a trade that the Yankees would likely have to call the Mariners about, but it's one that the Mariners would likely listen to.

If the Yankees agree to pay most of Garcia's $4 million salary, I see a deal as a real possibility.

Kansas City Royals

The Yankees and Kansas City Royals have the potential to match up very well in a trade for Garcia.

Kansas City could be seeking a veteran pitcher at the deadline if they're within striking distance of a playoff spot, and the Yankees could be looking for a left-hander out of the bullpen if the trio they currently have falters.

Boone Logan and Clay Rapada are the current lefties in the bullpen, with Cesar Cabral and his broken elbow as the third.

Logan hasn't been great against lefties in his two seasons in New York, while Rapada isn't capable of getting out righties.

That's where Tim Collins comes into play.

At 5'7", Collins is one of the smallest players in baseball. His performance didn't suffer in his rookie campaign, as he recorded a 3.63 ERA over 67 innings.

He also throws relatively hard for his size, so he could be an invaluable pickup for the Yankees' playoff run.

The Yankees may have to offer to pay all or most of Garcia's salary in this deal, but it would most definitely be worth the price. 

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers have shown interest in a few No. 5 starters so far this spring, most notably John Lannan of the Nationals, according to the Detroit Free Press.

They seem content to go with Drew Smyly to open the season with Jacob Turner waiting in the minors.

If they choose to go with experience rather than potential at the deadline, Freddy Garcia may be on their wish list.

Lannan is the better pitcher of the two, but he'll likely command a larger return. Garcia can be had relatively cheap, especially if the Yankees pick up his $4 million salary.

Look for the Yankees to ask for sleeper prospect Andy Dirks.

Dirks had a very good rookie season in 2011, hitting .251/.296/.406 with seven home runs, 28 RBI and five steals.

He has the potential to replace Swisher in right field, but he's more than likely destined to be the fourth outfielder after Andruw Jones and Raul Ibanez leave after the season.

Garcia would slot right into the back of the Tigers' rotation and help them advance in the playoffs.

Out of all the possibilities out there, I see this option as the most likely to happen.