Yankees Rumors: New York Offered Freddy Garcia to Marlins

The New York Yankees have stockpiled enough pitching to fill out nearly two starting rotations.  While general manager’s favorite line, “you can never have enough starting pitching”, generally holds true, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com believes the Yankees will part with some of their inventory this spring.  Knobler believes New York’s prime candidate to be dealt is right-hander Freddy Garcia.

Garcia re-signed with the Yankees this winter after a productive 2011 season.  It appeared that he was a shoe-in for a rotation spot in 2012 as recently as January.  However, since then the Yankees have been adding starting pitchers at an amazing clip.

Now that New York has acquired Hiroki Kuroda and Michael Pineda and coaxed Andy Pettitte out of retirement, there doesn’t appear to be a spot for Garcia.  New York still has the young and promising Ivan Nova, and most believe inconsistent starter Phil Hughes has a leg up on Garcia due to his potential.

Knobler also added that the Yankees know they won’t be able to use Garcia out of the bullpen.  For these reasons, Knobler doesn’t see how the Yankees won’t trade Garcia this spring.  According to Knobler, the Yankees offered the right-hander to the Marlins, but Miami wasn’t interested.

Many teams are in the market for starting pitching, but New York likely isn’t willing to deal with several of them.  Garcia isn’t going to the Red Sox, and it’s hard to imagine the Yankees strengthening the Tigers or Angels, two teams poised to offer New York competition for the American League pennant this season.

Still, Garcia figures to interest teams beyond those listed above.  The 35-year-old pitched well for the Yankees last season (3.62 ERA, 1.343 WHIP, 146 2/3 IP) and is set to make an affordable $4 million in 2012.

For more on the Yankees, be sure to check out Yanks Go Yard.

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