MLB Trade Rumors: Garza or Dempster, Who's the Better Target for Yanks?

With the mid-point of the season close at hand and trades already being made (Kevin Youkilis), the watch is on as to who the New York Yankees may attempt to acquire for the second half run.

It has been no secret that GM Brian Cashman's philosophy is that a team can never have too much pitching.  The 2012 Yankees certainly reflect that strategy as they entered the season with at least six legitimate starters.

Now that we have completed nearly three months of the campaign and pitchers have settled into their roles, there remains a need to continually bolster the staff.  Most of the remaining free agents will add little or no value to the team, so the best opportunities lie with teams labelled as "sellers". 

They are the clubs that have resigned themselves to the fact that rebuilding is necessary, and are most willing to trade established players in an effort to brighten the future.

One such club is the Chicago Cubs. They currently hold the worst record in Major League Baseball and their lineup is a poster child for mediocrity.  Without any hopes of success in 2012, they are a logical target for the teams that still have potential for making a postseason appearance.

This article will look at two pitchers currently with the Cubs that the Yankees are rumored to be considering.  Both have significant potential and could bring good, young talent (and hope) to the "Cubbies".

Matt Garza

It was a little more than a year ago that highly-touted pitcher Matt Garza was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Chicago Cubs prior to the start of the 2011 season.

After going 10-10 with a respectable 3.32 ERA for an underachieving club last season, 2012 has opened with rumors that the 28-year-old Garza would soon be dealt by new GM Theo Epstein.

Given the team's lack of success, and the fact that the hurler is one of just a handful of players wearing a Cubs uniform that would bring any kind of value in a trade, it only makes sense that Garza would be shopped around.

But would he be a good fit for the Yankees?

The first item to examine is whether or not Garza can pitch in New York.  Many a star pitcher has fallen to his demise when donning the pinstripes.  One only need to recall pitchers like Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez or Ed Whitson to understand that not everyone can handle the pressures of playing in front of the Yankee faithful.

The 2009 and 2010 seasons best give us a glimpse into how Garza might perform for the "Bombers".  During those seasons as a Tampa Bay Ray, Garza pitched a total of 17 innings in the "new" Yankee Stadium.  He registered a 3.18 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP while recording an 0-1 record on the mound in the Bronx.

Those are respectable numbers and may indicate that the talented hurler can handle being under a microscope in New York.

How would he fit in the Yankee's rotation?

Lately, the Yankees starting five has been the best in baseball.  In the month of June they are 18-5 with a 2.65 ERA, so why would you fix something that isn't broken?

Referring back to the organization's philosophy (and it actually is a baseball mantra) that "you can never have too much pitching", it could only make the Yankees deeper on the mound to bring in a talent like Garza. 

Already the team has seen Freddy Garcia, who began the year in the rotation, throw his way into a demotion to the pen, and it would seem that Phil Hughes is always hanging on that same precipice that Garcia fell off. 

Simply put, Matt Garza would give the Yankees an edge in depth and talent over other less fortunate teams.

Garza brings with him an array of weapons.  He has a two-seam fastball that tops out around 94 mph, and a four-seam fastball that has hit 98 on the gun.  To offset the "smoke", the young pitcher offers up a tight slider and a changeup that leaves hitters shaking their heads.

At 28, Garza's best days may still be ahead of him, and adding him to the team would help the Yankees fill future holes that will open when Hiroki Kuroda (38) and Andy Pettitte (40) succumb to father time.

Ryan Dempster

Another Chicago Cub whose name has swirled around in rumors that include the New York Yankees is Ryan Dempster.

Unlike teammate Matt Garza, Dempster has been around the block more than once. 

The 35-year-old pitcher has spent his entire 15-year career in the National League.  Over that time, he has taken the mound for the Marlins, Reds and Cubs while recording a 115-119 record and a 4.33 ERA.

Those numbers may not strike anyone as impressive, but with a Chicago team that has a reputation for futility his record is 65-64 and his ERA is 3.76.  This season the ageless veteran is 3-3 with a 2.11 ERA, and has gone his last 22 innings without yielding a run. 

It would appear that in terms of his career, Dempster has saved his best for last.

As with Garza, the question of whether or not Dempster can pitch under the bright lights of the big city needs to be examined.

Since the last time he took the mound in the Bronx was 2000 (six innings, six earned runs) a realistic sampling of data for throwing in Yankee Stadium isn't available to answer our question. Chicago isn't a small market however, so his performance in the "Second City" at least shows that he is more than capable of pitching under intense media scrutiny.

How would he fit with the rest of the Yankees pitching staff?

Not all of Dempster's seasons have been spent as a starter.  His career stats include 87 saves, and from 2005 to 2007 he was the Cubs closer—leading the league in games finished with 64 in 2006. 

This shows a versatility that would be appealing to a team like New York who has suffered off and on from injuries to members of the rotation and the relief corps this season.

On the mound Ryan Dempster brings both a four-seam and two-seam fastball.  Each averages around 90 mph, and he can mix in a cut fastball, slider, and splitter all of which are in the low to mid 80's.

Whether as a spot starter, full-time starter, or reliever, Dempster brings with him a wealth of experience and talent that would clearly enhance the Yankees pitching staff.

Who Do the Yankees Target?

If the New York Yankees do become "buyers" before the trade deadline, who do they go after? 

As discussed, both Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster bring with them their own unique experience and skills that could only make the New York pitching staff stronger.

Does the team go with the youthful Garza who possesses an electric fastball and has shown he can pitch well in the Bronx?  Do they instead go with the veteran Dempster, who has only gotten more effective with each passing season?

Cashman's recent history of acquiring veteran pitchers like Garcia, Bartolo Colon or Javier Vazquez would lead you to believe that if he is going to take a Cub pitcher, it would more than likely be Dempster.

Perhaps in this case, Garza's higher "ceiling" would sway the pick his way?

Either choice will surely cost the Yankees some valuable talent, so Brian Cashman's position will not be an enviable one.  No matter who he targets, a decision to acquire one or the other will be met with criticism from every corner of the media.

Ultimately, the general manager will surely have to earn his keep and in this case, the end will justify the means.