The Brewers informed right-hander Matt Garza that they’ve removed him from the rotation this weekend, writes Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Garza, according to Rosiak, “was livid” when informed of the move.
“It’s not my decision,” said Garza. “I didn’t get much say. It’s completely taken out of my hands. That’s it. I didn’t have any say at all. It is what it is. It’s just (expletive).”
While Garza’s numbers certainly aren’t in line with his career norms — the veteran has a 5.63 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 6.3 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 148 2/3 innings — he seemingly wanted the opportunity to sort out his issues and end the season on a high note. “I’ve played with guys who have gone through similar-type situations, just a rough year, and never once have I seen a guy shut down,” said Garza, adding that he has asked agent Nez Balelo of CAA Sports to contact the front office and express his displeasure with the decision.
Via MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy, Garza continued: “We have an acting GM, and in three to four months, I’ll be introducing myself to a new one. That’s all I’ve got. For the last nine seasons, I’ve had a mid-3.00 [ERA], and I have one off year. It is what it is.” (Full video of Garza’s interview can be seen here, courtesy of MLB.com.) Garza did accept responsibility for the way he pitched and offered no excuses for his performance, stating, “It’s all on me. I’m the one who makes the pitches.”
Garza was given the option to pitch out of the bullpen for the rest of the season, GM Doug Melvin told Rosiak, but unlike teammate Kyle Lohse, he declined to take that opportunity. Summer trade acquisition Zach Davies has already joined the rotation (following Taylor Jungmann’s addition earlier this year), and the Brewers will use Garza’s spot to look at other future options as well. Ariel Pena is one option to get a look. Manager Craig Counsell did tell reporters that Garza “is going to be a member of the rotation in 2016.”
As McCalvy notes, though, there could potentially be financial ramifications of the decision for Garza. The right-hander is slated to earn $12.5MM in each of the next two seasons, but his contract contains a vesting option for the 2018 season that will vest at $13MM if Garza makes 110 starts from 2014-17 and finishes the 2017 healthy with more than 115 innings thrown. As it stands right now, he’s on pace to finish with 106 starts over the initial four years of his contract, making the three to four lost starts potentially significant. If the option does not vest at $13MM, it shrinks substantially to a $5MM club option.
This can only end badly. Wonder if the Brewers will try to sell low on either Lohse or Garza. Let some of the young guys start. The ones they’ve brought up have done fairly well this year, better than Garza at least.
Lohse is a free agent after the season.
I say trade him to a team on the west coast since he’s from Cali , Angels or dodgers would be perfect fits for him.
Garza should shut his mouth. He’s terrible. Being removed from the rotation was his decision. If he pitched even halfway decently, it wouldn’t be a problem.
Teams are a lot more concerned about players who don’t want to play when they should than with players who want to play when maybe the shouldn’t.
Yea this hasn’t been a good week for that stuff. I know baseball players aren’t the smartest people in the world, but they should at least know how to talk to the media.
In defense of Garza, he comes off a lot better if you read more than just the part quoted here. Check out the source article. He’s understandably frustrated by having a bad season in a losing cause and not getting the opportunity to work through his issues.
Garza always was a bulldog and tough competitor. Can’t really blame him for not wanting to get pulled. He never got recognition in Tampa for being the “iron” in the rotation there, when the flashy guys like Shields grabbed the headlines, yet Garza was the one who was more solid day in and out while there.
There may be a contract out there The brewers can swap him for and whoever gets him will get someone with an iron will.. Another John Lackey type that fights.. A rarity today among today’s type ball player.
Right, exactly. A team can have far worse problems than a player who is in a slump but still has the desire to go out there and try it again.
I don’t blame him for being upset. It’s just not “expletive” that he was pulled. He took responsibility, fine. Actions have consequences. Rather than talk about how he should get the ball this month, he should focus on fixing whatever is wrong with him.
Matt Garza will battle but I don’t see that bulldog mentality in him like we would see in Weaver , Lackey and Adam Wainwright.
I don’t think he comes off as that much better. He did take responsibility, but refuses to accept that being removed from the rotation is rather reasonable given his season.
Actually he did, but you have to read the source article to find it.
I read the article. He says, “”Had my agent call up top and tell them how I felt, and that’s that. I’ve played with guys who have gone through similar-type situations, just a rough year, and never once have I seen a guy shut down”
And also the other thing I quoted elsewhere in the thread. Some fans seem to be shocked when ballplayers behave like human beings. I guess I am just not one of them.
I’m not shocked. I just don’t think it’s very professional of him.
No, just very human.
So what are the Brewers FO supposed to do? With the contract in place they are protecting their future options. Garza signed the contract and that’s the deal. If he was performing better, I might have a lean on his side with this issue. The Brewers are doing the right thing with future in mind
Garza needs a change of scenery
Colorado Springs?
Yes, to the Minor Leagues !
It’s hard for me to feel for the guy, particularly if money is his big concern. Clearly, being out there with his teammates isn’t his concern, otherwise he’d have accepted a bullpen role. So that leads me to believe it’s money, and if that’s the case, it’s not like he’s exactly strapped for cash. Dude’s earned $54MM in his career so far, with $25MM coming his way in the next two seasons alone. I get it, he’s got a big family to support (I think he said he’s got four kids, and his wife is pregnant with twins? Something along those lines), but it’s not like he’d struggle to do that with the money he’s been given and the money he’ll be given over the next two years. Come on, man. I’d say it’s time for a change of scenery for Garza, ’cause he doesn’t seem particularly excited to be a Brewer anymore.
I think it’s a pride issue with Garza. He has the option of going home to be with the wife (who is indeed pregnant with twins) and four children, but he’s remaining with the team for the last month. I don’t really get his rationale, and I’m not defending his decision or his comments. But, I do think that if he didn’t care about being out there with his teammates, he’d pack it up and leave.
Change of scenery definitely seems possible this winter. Would imagine we’ll hear about the possibility on multiple occasions.
Yeah, I suppose that’s fair. He at least isn’t just going home, like you said. I think what gets to me is that he seems completely indignant, despite the fact that his being removed from the rotation is more than justified by his lack of performance this season. It just really doesn’t rub me the right way as a Brewer fan. I think this is probably a prime opportunity for a typical bad contract swap over the winter, though I don’t know who the other player would be.
I say send him to the west coast in a pitchers park, Angels Dodgers Giants or Padres.
Mid 3 era? You mean that one year? More like era of 4 consistently. Anyone else remember when he wouldn’t resign with the cubs? Then went to the brewers to be part of a winning team? Great nonsigns with shark and garza. He deserves his situation.
This is literally his first season with an ERA above 3.95 (unless you want to count his rookie season when he threw 50 innings).
Nonetheless, it would be far more accurate for Garza to characterize his career as a high 3s pitcher. Mid 3s, he is not.
This is literally the first time his ERA has been above 4 since 2006.
His ERA period is closer to 4 than mid 3’s. 6 of 8 since being a full time starter above 3.7. 4 of them above 3.9. You can’t call yourself a mid 3 pitcher in era with those numbers. If he said I’ve pitched to an era under 4 I wouldn’t even be commenting. Fact of the matter is anyone who thinks that’s a mid 3 era pitcher is deluded. 4 era is #4 material.
Yeah he has had a SINGLE season closer to 3 than 4.
Can someone tell me… If a player refuses to play, can he be suspended without pay? I am reading mixed things about this.
In theory, yes. That’s not really the position Garza’s in right now though. The Brewers know he’s going to be in the rotation in 2016, so they’re not forcing him to go to the bullpen. They only gave him the option.
I would have left him in the rotation.
If he turns things around, maybe you can dump him in the offseason.
If he continues to pitch poorly, you get a better draft pick.
Garza can not like the demotion, but he has no basis on which to complain about it. He deserves it. Plus this is call-up time: Brewers (and every other non-contender) need to look at young players.
What I don’t understand is the Brewers giving him the option of pitching in the bullpen. What the heck is that? He is under contract – he pitches in the pen.
Matt Garza’s career ERA is 3.99. His WHIP is 1.30. His K/9 is 7.4. He’s a mediocre pitcher at best.
Performance sucks, yes…but this is completely financially motivated. They’re not going anywhere this year, shut em down and of course add him back next year and reduce a sizable commitment to a potential baby albatross for a mid-market team. Not having that extra salary could possibily impede their ability to add future FAs. Smart move, all things considered.
Huh? There’s no indication the Brewers are going to try to put him on the restricted list or anything like that. They’re paying him that money whether he pitches or not.
Read the last paragraph of the article again. Garza will now have to get 57 starts over the next two seasons, or his $13MM vesting option will become a $5MM team option. These 3-4 starts he’s missing this season could be the difference between $13MM, or $5MM (or less if we decline the team option). That’s what, I presume, is being referred to when the person you replied to said this is completely financially motivated.
Fwiw, David Price reportedly has this posted in his locker:
“If you don’t like it, pitch better.”
And Matt Garza said, “But it’s all on me. I’m the one that makes the pitches, and that’s that.”
Gotta love the token post-vent “ownership” line. It’s a bit like a football coach saying the refs cost them the game – then lacing it with “but it’s no excuse”.
If it’s all on him, why was he livid?
Maybe you shouldn’t have pitched like a steaming pile of proverbial.
He declined to be moved to the bullpen? So why on earth do the Brewers have to continue paying Garza, when he refuses to pitch while under contract? What a delusional jerk.
I question why the Brewer’s gave him the option in the first place. Don’t ask him, tell him.
I’ve never understood the fascination with Garza. He’s never been a great pitcher–he’s got nearly 1500 innings logged, with a career ERA+ of 102. He peaked at 3.5 BWAR in 2009, his career BWAR is 14.6. His FIP and ERA are almost an exact match. He’s a decent pitcher–a 3 or 4, depending on the strength of the rotation, but he’s not special. And maybe that’s the reason the Brewers are sitting him–if he really were an exceptional pitcher, they might let him find himself. Now, it will be wait until Spring Training.
The Brew Crew should have cut this Bum Garza Months ago !
I understand his frustration but also see where the Brewers are coming from. They’re at the end of a bad season, will have rotation spots to fill next season that they won’t likely be filling via free agency. They want to see what they have. Unless he’s traded in the offseason, Garza will be filling a huge role on the rotation next year: the veteran leader of the group. Lohse is for sure gone, which leaves Peralta and Nelson as the other 2 locks with youngsters vying for the open 2 spots. They offered to let him go to the pen, which he could have done to work out issues. But this is the best chance they’ll have to take a look at people for next years rotation. could it have been motivated by the option? Maybe. But there’s still 2 seasons left, meaning there’s still good chance he’d of not made enough starts due to injury before that time.