Matt Garza Actually Asked For More Than Was First Reported

ESPN Chicago reports that Garza asked for $12.5 million, and the $10.225 million first reported was actually the midpoint between his request and the club offer.

4 months ago Al Yellon 13 comments 0 recs |

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Interesting that they are so far apart.

It makes me think they either will work out a contract (long-term extension?) or Garza will be dealt.

Because if they go to a hearing… there’s going to be some awfully hard feelings for the losing side.

This also makes me think… and this is more of a ‘gut feeling’ than anything… that Garza isn’t all that interested in staying in Chicago without a sizable long-term deal.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Jan 19, 2012 4:53 PM CST reply actions

I think you're probably right.

It might make it more likely that he’s traded… or not, given these figures.

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by Al Yellon on Jan 19, 2012 4:58 PM CST up reply actions

he is dealt, no doubt. Why would he sign an extension?

He is looking for the FA $$.

A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight

by Ivy Walls on Jan 19, 2012 5:20 PM CST up reply actions

Why would he sign an extension?

For the guaranteed money.

Pitchers and agents aren’t stupid. They know a whole lot could happen over the course of two years to diminish your asking price.

Sure he could ‘roll the dice’ and hope to really cash in when FA comes. But if he could sign an extension (either with the Cubs or a team he is traded to) that would a) increase his salary in his two arb years and b) not be a real far cry from what he thinks he could command in FA……. then he’d be foolish NOT to sign the extension.

Let’s say the Cubs offer him 4 years @ $16M per starting this season (too much, IMO, but just for the sake of discussion). That totals to $64M…. and puts him in position for one more large deal when those 4 years run out.

But if he waits for FA thinking he’ll cash 4 or 5 years at $20M, he probably “loses” $6M over the next two years. Then when that FA contract runs out… he’s in his mid 30s and looking at a lower value deal.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Jan 19, 2012 5:40 PM CST up reply actions

I think

his asking price in arbitration lessens his trade value though.

by tomas21 on Jan 19, 2012 8:25 PM CST up reply actions

It depends on what the final salary comes out to be.

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by Al Yellon on Jan 19, 2012 8:43 PM CST up reply actions

To a point, sure.

Unless he might agree to an extension elsewhere that either the Cubs wouldn’t offer or he wouldn’t accept from the Cubs.

Even with two years of club control left, I could see him getting dealt with one of those “72 hours to work out a contract extension” windows.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Jan 19, 2012 9:24 PM CST up reply actions

Yes

but if the Cubs win in arbitration, suitors might come calling again.

by cubzfan on Jan 20, 2012 8:05 AM CST up reply actions

I was thinking

That it lowered his trade value a bit because it implies he won’t be easy to sign to an extension. So if we went to arbitration and won, he’d be cheaper this year, but it could make him dig his heels in even more about the dollars in the extension.

by tomas21 on Jan 21, 2012 2:39 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Wow... I can't see him being worth $19 to 20 million on the open market

Which is effectively what his $ amount claims he would be worth. I think we would win if we went to trial, but I hope it doesn’t get to that. I’m fine with something like 9.3 million.

by bdlugz on Jan 19, 2012 4:59 PM CST reply actions

I mean, can you really blame him?

The guy is 28, and has been on the trading block since he’s been in the big leagues. I hope they can sign him to an extention.

'Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.'

by Unique on Jan 19, 2012 5:04 PM CST reply actions

Garza should probably hope he gets signed long-term...

…because he’s not getting that in arbitration. I would put a lot of money that if they go to arb, the Cubs will win that. $7.95M is probably about $1M shy of what he’d likely earn if the panel could just assign a number. When I thought it was $10.225M from Garza’s camp I thought that was savvy as I would guess it’d be 50/50 which way they’d lean.

Anyhow I’m hoping for a nice, reasonable extension or a haul of prospects over an arb ruling.

by IOftenPanic on Jan 19, 2012 9:57 PM CST reply actions

I'd probably rather have the arb ruling

Because there is no way Garza is winning it. Garza with a $7.95 million price tag in 2012 (and subsequent lower 2013 salary because of the 2012 arbitration number) will be extremely valuable.

by RynoRooter on Jan 20, 2012 1:33 PM CST up reply actions