Garland Trade A Winner

While browsing through some internet articles I came across this piece on the MLB site about the preseason trade the Angels made with the Chicago White Sox when they traded shortstop Orlando Cabrera for Jon Garland.  I had forgotten about this deal because Garland has fit so well into the Angels' rotation, it seemed like he's been there forever.  When the trade was first announced I remember thinking that it wasn't a very good deal for the Halos because Cabrera has been a solid player putting up decent offensive stats and providing steady defense at a critical position.  With Garland the Angels were getting a reliable, but unimpressive starting pitcher.  I think one of the reasons I didn't care for this trade was I wasn't sure Erick Aybar or Maicer Izturis were capable of manning the shortstop position adequately.  Last season, in part-time roles Aybar and Izturis combined to hit .270 (143 for 530) with 70 RBI.  I'll admit I wasn't aware of the numbers these two players put up.  Because looking at them now, they're pretty decent, especially at the shortstop position.  In acquiring Garland, Angels GM Tony Reagins received a starting pitcher who has made at least 30 starts in the previous 6 years.  Although Garland isn't a dominating pitcher, he is a steady back-end starter who can be counted on to eat innings and keep his team in most games, which is exactly what Garland has done this year.  His last start September 13th against Seattle was his 30th start of the year.  In those 30 starts he has been exactly the pitcher his career numbers suggest:

Orlando Cabrera is having a solid year with the White Sox, but let's compare him to the Angels' shortstop duo:

While Izturis has played some of his games filling in for Kendrick at second base and is out for the rest of the season with a thumb injury, the combination of Aybar and Izturis at shortstop compare to what Cabrera has done this year offensively.  Defensively, the two players have done just as well as Cabrera, which is an important part of the type of baseball the Halos have been known to play, solid defense and aggressive base running.  Although Aybar is also injured, the play of Brandon Wood at short provides the Angels with the depth they rely on to remain a winning ballclub.  Next year, if Wood is to be the everyday shortstop, that depth may provide the ability to move either Aybar or Izturis for additional pitching, or whatever Reagins decides there is a need for.  Garland will be a free agent after this season and the Angels can offer him arbitration.  Whether Garland accepts arbitration or not, the Angels will have the depth to fill any needs that come up.

I agree with the conclusion that the Garland/Cabrera trade was a winner for the Angels.  Aybar/Izturis were able to replace Cabrera on the field and in the batting order, and Garland has provided the Angels with better starting pitching than what could have been expected from within the organization.

Daily Notes:

• Mark Teixeira hit his 200th career home run yesterday against the Mariners.  It was also his 30th of the season.  He's hit at least 30 home runs in his last 5 seasons.
• Ervin Santana struck out his 200th hitter and became the first Angels' pitcher since 1999 to top 200 K's.  He's the first right-handed pitcher to have at least 200 strike outs since 1986.
• The Angels have a three game lead over the Rays for home field advantage with 13 to play.
   

  	W	L	Pct	GB
  Angels	92	57	.617	-
  Tampa Bay	88	59	.599	3.0
  Boston	88	61	.591	4.0
  Chicago	83	65	.561	8.5