The Los Angeles Angels are a team many still expect to make some noise in the trade market after acquiring Josh Hamilton over the weekend. Peter Bourjos is one of the five outfielders in L.A. and the Angels need some pitching. So how about a trade for Matt Garza of the Chicago Cubs?
Garza is fresh off elbow surgery and is soon to start rehab. He is on schedule and anxious to begin his warmups and training for the 2013 season. Last season, he was only able to make 18 starts after going down with an injury on his right elbow. He went 5-7 with a 3.91 ERA.
Prior to his early exit in 2012, Garza had gone four straight seasons with at least 30 starts and in this time span averaged a little over 197 innings pitched. He has never finished a season with an ERA over 4.00 despite being susceptible to the home run ball back in his days with the Tampa Bay Rays.
We all know the Angels need pitching, well the Cubs need an everyday centerfield. When looking at their team stats, in 2012, Brett Jackson finished the season as the most starts in centerfield with 38. David DeJesus finished second with 36 starts.
DeJesus is an everyday right-fielder who is a proven producer. Jackson, who's 24-years-old, still needs a little ripening before getting a chance to play every day. He hit .175 in 2012 with four homers and nine RBI.
Peter Bourjos' 2012 season wasn't spectacular, but in 2011 he proved he can be a vital part to a lineup when receiving playing time. In 552 plate appearances, Bourjos hit .271 in 2011 with 11 triples, 22 stolen bases, displayed some pop with 12 home runs and 43 RBI. His strikeout ratio will not make Theo Epstein too happy, but Bourjos is young and doesn't become a free agent until 2017.
With a big bopper like Anthony Rizzo in the middle of the Cubs' lineup, Bourjos would join guys like Starlin Castro and Tony Campana as the table setters in the top of the lineup.
