Report: Matt Garza Agrees To Terms With Brewers

Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Free agent pitcher Matt Garza has reportedly agreed to terms with the Milwaukee Brewers.  The Brewer Nation first reported the Brewers were in the midst of discussing a deal with Garza and soon after, Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com tweeted that the Brewers will indeed sign him, pending a physical.

Garza, 30, went 6-1 with a 3.17 ERA in 11 starts with the Chicago Cubs in 2013 before being traded to the Texas Rangers in July. For the Rangers, the right-hander went 4-5 with 4.38 ERA.

During his seven-year career, Garza has accumulated a 67-67 record with a 3.84 ERA. His best season came in 2011 with the Cubs, when he posted a 3.32 ERA. MLB Trade Rumors ranked Garza, 30, as the seventh-best free agent in this year’s market.

Garza will join Kyle Lohse and Yovani Gallardo at the top of the Brewers’ rotation, along with Wily Peralta and Marco Estrada. Tyler Thornburg, who manager Ron Roenicke said had a leg up to be the team’s fifth starter, seems to be the odd man out,  although the Brewers may choose to hold a competition between Estrada and Thornburg for the final spot.

The Brewers are set on contending in 2014. Adding Garza boosts their rotation closer to the top tier and getting Ryan Braun (suspension) and Aramis Ramirez (injuries) back will solidify their offense.