I've got a few things to comment about today, and I'm getting to them a bit late, so I'm going to throw them all together in one post, buffet-style. This post is brought to you by Pancho's Mexican Buffet, the official laxative of Shaggin' Flies.
- Matt Garza traded to the Cubs
Tampa Bay decided to trade righthanded pitcher Matt Garza to the Chicago Cubs rather than the Texas Rangers. Peter Gammons reported that both teams made significant offers, and while the Rangers' offer would have benefited the Rays more this season, the Cubs package was better for the Rays in the long run.
From what I've gathered by reading and watching coverage about this deal, Chicago overpaid to get Garza, giving up their Minor League Pitcher of the Year and a young shortstop that at least one analyst said was the best player in their system. The Cubs also gave up three more players in the deal, and got two minors leaguers back, along with Garza. It's been said that this package was more than the Royals got for Zack Greinke. If the Rangers weren't going to overpay for Greinke, they weren't going to do so for Garza, either.
It will be interesting if word leaks out on who was in the proposed deal from the Rangers.
Secondly, righthander Guillermo Moscoso, who's pitched in 11 games over the last two years with the Rangers, but spent most of his time in AAA, has been designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Adrian Beltre. I've updated the 40-man roster page to reflect this move. Texas now has 10 days to trade, release, or send Moscoso through waivers to get him to the minors, should he clear.
Moscoso was one of the fringe guys that has bounced from AAA to Texas and back to fill in for injured pitchers over the last few seasons. Players like him, including Doug Mathis, Dustin Nippert, and Brandon McCarthy, have been cleared out of the organization, so I'm curious to see who the team will turn to for depth from the minors with these guys either cleared off the 40 or out of the organization completely. Of course, if Moscoso clears waivers and goes back to the minors, he could be recalled and join the team again sometime this year.
Lastly, to follow up on something I said in one of yesterday's posts, Julio Borbon will now wear the #20, according Jamey Newberg. His former number, 29, was given to Adrian Beltre. I still have trouble seeing a Ranger wear #29 and it not being Rusty Greer. (I know most of you don't care about uniform numbers, but it's something that's always held my attention for some reason, so humor me.)
Interesting (and unrelated) side note:
ReplyDeleteThey opened a new Pancho's over on Alsbury. I didn't know they were opening new ones ANYWHERE and thought the Burleson one on 35 closing was the end of an era.