By DavidKaye
The Philadelphia Phillies enjoyed a successful winter meetings as they were able to trade for work horse Freddy Garcia. In exchange for the two time all star, Philly shipped pitchers Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez to the windy city.
Almost a week after the deal was completed Garcia is finally speaking out about his new team. He recently added that "I'm really happy to go to Philadelphia" and that ''It's a young team with good players." The 30 year old right hander will be on his third team since 2004. He will be able to provide playoff leadership to his new team and teach his teammates about the art of winning.
Along with the off season signing of Adam Eaton, the Phillies are constructing a pretty formidable starting rotation that will be able to contend with the Mets for the NL East crown. Presently, Philadelphia's starting rotation includes Garcia, Eaton, Lieber, Moyer, Hamels and Myers. Myers and Hamels are two solid youngsters and at the age of 44 Jamie Moyer has the ability to nurture these two young pitchers.
Obviously, with the addition of Garcia the Phillies head into spring training with six starting pitchers. The question to ask is who will be the odd man out in Charlie Manuel's rotation? Will it be Adam Eaton who is getting paid slightly over $ 8 million per season or might veteran Jon Lieber be traded.
Garcia is coming off an impressive 17 win season with the White Sox and he will need to continue pitching well if the Phillies are to have any chance of making the playoffs. Despite winning 85 games in 2006 Philadelphia lost out on the Wild Card to the Dodgers. Freddy Garcia recently said "I love to pitch." and hopefully his love for the game can elevate the Phillies into the postseason.
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