MLB Trade Rumors: Matt Garza Would Make the Tigers World Series Favorites

There has been no movement on the Matt Garza front since Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer took over the Chicago Cubs, but that does not mean something won't materialize before the season starts. And when it does, don't be surprised if the Detroit Tigers end up getting him. 

While the Tigers are not mentioned often in trade talks for Garza, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe points out that they could sneak into the bidding when all is said and done.

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Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have to feel that Garza is the best available pitcher out there, so the return must be at least what the A’s got for Gonzalez. They have three options: status quo, sign him to a John Danks-type multiyear deal, or trade him for a boatload of much-needed prospects. We get the feeling Epstein will deal him, and teams such as the Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, and perhaps even Orioles would have to be interested. Don’t rule out the Tigers, either.

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It never occurred to me before to think of the Tigers in the mix on Garza, but once I saw it written, it made perfect sense. 

We know that the Tigers have the high-end prospects that the Cubs will be looking for when dealing Garza. Jacob Turner and/or Nick Castellanos would be great players to build a package around. 

Castellanos would fill the void that the Cubs have at third base. Turner would give them a true starter with ace potential. Their system is filled with a bunch of pitchers who have that kind of upside, but will most likely end up being relievers—Andrew Cashner, Chris Carpenter, Hayden Simpson, et al. 

Another reason that these two teams would be a great fit for each other is the Tigers' willingness to deal prospects if it means helping out the big league club. 

They know the risk involved with prospects, so when they see the right deal out there, they will not hesitate to pull the trigger. 

Garza would give them the No. 2 starter that they so desperately need behind Justin Verlander. Part of the problem with this team in 2011 was they were loaded with a bunch of No. 4 and 5 starters, and in the postseason you need starters that can miss bats. 

We know that Garza has the ability to hold his own in the postseason—he won the ALCS MVP in 2008 with the Tampa Bay Rays. 

None of the teams that have been linked to Garza need him as much as the Tigers do. If they acquire him, they would have the staff strong enough to carry them to a World Series in 2012. 

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