Matt Garza

Matt Garza will be a Chicago Cub this year, and it seems that Cubs nation is split on how they feel about this deal.  There are two points a view about this deal:

1) We sold the farm - what happened to building our farm system!
The Ricketts are getting nervous about empty seats and negative press next year.  This deal brings a proven arm to a mediocre at best starting rotation.  The last thing the Ricketts need is an empty ballpark when they are trying to prove to the community and the state that crumbling Wrigley Field is a top tourist attraction and worth using millions of dollars in state taxes to renovate.  The Ricketts are gambling that Wood and Garza can bring enough stability to the pitching staff to contend with the Cards, Reds and Brewers.  This will keep the seats full and keep the Cubs relevant this summer.  However, we mortgaged the future just to contend in our division!!

2) This is what a farm system is for - the ability to acquire proven talent!
Matt Garza is reaching the prime of his career and is only going to improve.  He has the ability to become a dominant #1 for many years to come.  We gave up six prospects who have proved nothing at the major league level for a pitcher who has proven (in the toughest division in baseball) that he is the real deal.  In the last 3 years with Tampa, he has never had an ERA above 4.00, and has started 30 or more games each season.  He has learned to deal with his emotions and has successfully pitched in the post-season.

I for one am disappointed we traded six top prospects for Garza.  I agree with the many folks who feel Jim Hendry has assembled one of the better farm systems in the league.  Without strong farm systems, deals like this don't happen.  However, I think the price was a little to steep.  I really like the upside of Chris Archer and Jak-Ju Lee.  Brandon Guyer and Robinson Chirinos are also coming off outstanding years.  It goes without saying that you have to give up talent in order to acquire talent, so to me, it comes down to negotiating skills.  Throwing in five legitimate prospects for one proven commodity seems to high.  I was hoping the Cubs would take the attendance hit this year while continuing to field a young team. 

That being said, I hope I'm wrong.  These five prospects may turn out to be average players, with Garza dominating the weaker hitting N.L.  If that is this case, this turns out to be a great deal.  Even if a couple of these prospects turn out to be good MLB players, it's OK, if Garza dominates for the next 5 years.  Hopefully,what we have left on the farm is good enough to withstand the blow of losing these five kids.  Maybe Hendry made a great deal and it had nothing to do with attendance or Wrigley Field.  Maybe Chris Archer will never get over his wildness, and Jak-Ju Lee is another Cesar Izturis.  The other guys in the swap are older.  Maybe their past the point of quality returns?

These deals take a lot of time to play out, and they ultimately determine whether a GM stays or goes. There's a lot of luck involved here, so it's not always fair, but this league is very unfair and unforgiving, just ask the Royals, Mariners and Pirates.

Whats your take on this?