Red Sox Trade Talk: 10 Reasons They Should Trade for Matt Garza

The Chicago Cubs have made it clear that starting pitcher Matt Garza is on the market and the trade talk is starting to really heat up between the Cubs and other teams. The San Diego Padres and the Boston Red Sox are some of the teams that are interested.

There is a scenario where a three-team deal could be in place very soon and would result in the Red Sox sending multiple prospects to San Diego, while the Cubs would get Anthony Rizzo. The Sox would get Garza out of the deal, which would make this trade worthwhile.

There are many reasons a Garza trade would be an excellent idea for the Red Sox, such as his ability to pitch against the AL East and fire up a dugout.

Garza Has Played in AL East

Garza proved himself against the elite teams in the AL East back in 2009 when he played for the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2009, he was 0-1 against the New York Yankees with a 2.08 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched. These type of numbers alone against the Yankees is what makes Garza a very valuable trade target.

Garza also had a combined 4-1 record against the Toronto Blue Jays (3-0) and the Baltimore Orioles (1-1) in 2009.

These stats went down in 2010 as Garza just wasn't the same pitcher against the AL East. However, with the right pitching coach around him, I could see him returning to his 2009 form and being the ace at the bottom of the starting rotation for the Red Sox.

Garza's Passion for the Game

Garza is a much more ill-tempered pitcher than even John Lackey was in 2011. Garza gets excited about every pitch and always yells at his catcher and himself when something goes wrong. This type of excitement and passion is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Red Sox.

Bobby Valentine will be able to manage Garza the way that no other manager would be able to. He can take Garza's passion for the game and turn it into a strength rather than a weakness.

Garza will be able to control his emotions, but when they do get the best of him, then he will channel those emotions into each and every pitch and it will improve the way he pitches every game.

He Is Better Than John Lackey

John Lackey had a horrid 2011 season with the Red Sox. He was 12-12 with a 6.41 ERA. Garza, on the other hand, had a mediocre season with the Cubs. He was 10-10 with a 3.32 ERA. This type of production is what the Sox need out of the fourth spot in their starting rotation.

Garza Has a Great K/9 Ratio

Garza had 197 strikeouts on 198 innings in 2011, almost nine strikeouts per nine innings, which is excellent for any starting pitcher. The Sox need someone like him to bolster the starting rotation.

Garza Can Get the Ground Ball When Needed

Garza is one of the most athletic pitchers in MLB and can deliver the ball with ease. That is why he can get the ground ball whenever he wants; his ground ball to fly ball ratio was almost 1.00 in 2011 (0.97).

Last season was his best at getting the ground ball, but if he joins the Red Sox, then this percentage could even go up with the spectacular infield behind him that can field all the ground balls that come their way.

Garza Is Not That Expensive as a No. 4 Starter

Garza made only $5.95 million in 2011 and he will make around the same in 2012. This is on the cheap end for a young pitcher that has proven himself in the majors. The Sox could use someone like him to fill one of their empty rotation spots and that would make the Sox very dangerous during the playoffs.

Playoff Experience

Garza has pitched in both the 2008 and 2010 playoffs. His ERA in the playoffs is 3.48 and he has 29 strikeouts in 31 innings. His overall record is 2-1 in five games started.

His ability to pitch in the playoffs as a fourth starter would only bolster the Sox' chances to win a World Series sometime soon.

No Major League-Ready Prospects

The Red Sox had a sour taste in their mouths when the season ended early thanks to the Baltimore Orioles, and it was mainly due to the fact that their pitching had no depth. There are still no major league ready pitching prospects ready to see some time in 2012 and Garza should be able to fill that void for the time being.

Sure some minor leaguers will get some time here and there, but the Sox need someone who can pitch now in order to put 2011 behind them.

Ben Cherington Needs To Make a Splash

Ben Cherington needs to do something major in order to get this Red Sox team back to their winning ways. He needs to get compensation for Theo Epstein and why can't it be Matt Garza if the Sox throw Kevin Youkilis into the mix?

Cherington has only made one or two good moves this offseason and getting Garza should be on the top of his Christmas list.

Bobby Valentine Would Enjoy Managing Garza

Bobby Valentine, the newly-signed Red Sox manager, has a fiery personality and a combination of him and Garza would be very entertaining to watch throughout an entire MLB season.

The television ratings would skyrocket on Garza's starts and Valentine would feel a part of something whenever Garza was in the dugout or out on the field.