Freddy Garcia is officially in the fold, signing a a one-year minor league contract.
This is definitely a low-risk, potentially-high-reward signing for the Mets.
Garcia has posted a .605 career winning percentage, the eighth-best among active pitchers with 250 or more innings. He was 118-77 during his career with the Mariners, White Sox, Phillies, and Tigers.
The 6-4, 260-pounder was 17-9 with a 4.53 ERA in 33 starts for the Chicago White Sox in 2006.
The problem, of course, is that he underwent labrum surgery on his right shoulder on Aug. 29, 2007. The injury limited him to 16 games in the majors over the two years, 11 with the Phillies in 2007 and five with the Tigers in 2008.
“He’s a big game pitcher who has had great success in the postseason and we feel has a good opportunity to contribute to our success this year,” said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to pitch in New York,” said Garcia, who was 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA in four games with the Tigers after signing last August. “Nothing would make me happier than to pitch in the same rotation with my friend and fellow countryman, Johan Santana, and help win a championship with the Mets.”
Garcia was 14-8 with a 3.87 ERA in 2005 in helping the White Sox win the World Series. He went 3-0 in that postseason and hurled 7.0 shutout innings in Game Four to earn the victory and complete the four-game sweep over the Houston Astros. For his career, Garcia is 6-2 in nine postseason starts.
Certainly a return to that kind of form would be huge for the Mets. But with his uncertain physical status, it seems like the Mets still need another arm.
What’s your take?
3 Comments
He’s kiddin’ right? Garcia was a huge bust with the Phillies. Does he have the arm strength back yet? I hope they are paying him near the MLB minimum for a guy of his length of service.
Of course he’ll be happy in the rotation. It would mean lots of bucks. This front office really needs to switch with Pirates for they certainly have a small market mind set. We don’t need that in NYC.
Kudos for this amazing write-up, I would certainly attach this website to my rss feeds, a friend basically told me on this a week ago. this may be the greatest!