miCubs

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Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 4", Weight: 215 lb. Born: November 11, 1983 in Selma, CA
High School: Washington Union (Washington Union, CA)
School: California State University, Fresno
Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (25th pick) of the 2005 amateur draft.                                                                    Contract Status: Signed thru 2011, 1 yr/$5.95M. Under Chicago Cubs control until 2014.

Matt Garza was drafted by the Minnesota Twins with the 25th overall pick in the 2005 MLB Draft.  He made his big-league debut just more than one year later on August 11, 2006.  He instantly was annointed one of the up-and-coming pitching stars in baseball despite his 5.76 ERA in 10 games that season.  However, to this day, it is the only season where Garza didnt record a sub-4.00 ERA.  After a solid 2007, the right-hander was shipped to the Tampa Bay Rays along with Jason Bartlett and Eduardo Morlan in exchange for Delmon Young, Brendan Harris and Jason Pridie.  For the Rays in '08, Garza posted a 3.2 WAR and was named the ALCS MVP before Tampa Bay bowed out to the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Seires.  In 2009, Garza produced an 8-12 record with a solid 3.95 ERA and a career-best 8.4 K/9IP.  He followed that up with a career-high 15 win in 2010.  He became a major subject of trade rumors during the 2010 Winter Meetings with the Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals reportedly all involved.  According to miCubs sources, the Cubs had offered a package of Minor League prospects including Brandon Guyer, Hak-Ju Lee, Robinson Chirinos and a solid pitching prospect.  Sources said the Cubs were anchoring the Garza derby, with the Tigers and Rangers  putting out better offers.  The Rays, however, did not want to trade Garza within the AL and told the Cubs if they added top pitching prospect Chris Archer or Trey McNutt, they wouldn't even listen to a counter from Detroit or Texas.  The Cubs obliged and landed Garza.  He enjoyed his best season numbers-wise in 2011, going 10-10 with career bests in ERA (3.32) and strikeouts (197), but is still the constant focus of trade rumors as he heads into 2012.

Awards: ALCS MVP 2008 (Ring was stolen from home)