Garza traded to Cubs

[Big_Hairy_Bull]

Garza was just traded to Cubs. Rays got 3 of the top 10 prospects in Cubs organization.

[Triple B]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5998431&campaign=rss&source=CHICAGOHeadlines

We included a minor league pitcher and Fernando Perez.

[Bullshiznitz]

Sadly, you're going to see the exact type of response as you can read on the St Pete Times forums.  Sad how little baseball intelligence there is here in Tampa. 

This trade makes a lot of sense for the Rays right now.  You deal from a point of strength to utilize your resources to their best ability.  They had 6 starters for 5 positions, something had to be done.  Sitting on that depth while their is organizational holes to fill is not smart.  They've opended up a spot in the roation for Hellickson (who will provide very little if any drop off from Garza), while obtaining a pitcher who projects to be another Garza down the road, along with 3 other prospects and a 4/5th OF for the ML team.  They've also opened another $6 million or so for payroll.  They easily have the financial flexibility now to add ManRam or Vlad as DH, bring in BP help (Balfour, Rauch, Fuentes, even possibly Soriano with his market crashing), and possibly still have room for an upgrade at 1B over Dan Johnson.  Even without any addtions right now, this is still a 80-85 win team at min with that starting rotation and defense.  Add a combination of those players, and the Rays are still under or within budget, and easily competing with the Yanks for a wild card all year. 

[BullsWinBucsWin]

I like the trade.  Just raped the Cubs' farm system.

[Stier]

Great trade IMO

[GaUSFBull]

As long as the prospects we got for him are good, I'm all for it.  We have some good young arms coming and getting more good, young prospects is never a bad thing. 

[Ruger7mmmag]

I root for the Rays in the AL and Cubs in the NL so it was interesting watching this trade go down.  In classic Rays style, you'll see long term this deal will end up favoring the Rays BIG TIME.  The Cubs however are at a crisis point in that division.  Look around that division at the starting pitching for this coming year and you'll see why the Cubs made the move.  Fans are getting restless in Chicago and the stadium is aging to the point where it's novelty isn't overpowering the desire to watch a team with a chance to win something.  With the new ownership, improving chances to win now is cheaper than not making this move and putting even more into the stadium than they have recently with upgrades to the outside, locker rooms etc.

One thing you can always take to the bank...if you are trading with the Rays or Marlins, chances are you're getting fleeced long term.

[smazza]

cubs farm system that hasnt won in 100 years

too funny

tampa doesnt deserve baseball because they cant support a team