For the second off-season in a row, Jon Garland has a new uniform to play in.
Garland has reportedly signed a one-year-deal in the range of six to eight million dollars. The deal also includes a club option for 2010. With the Los Angeles Angels last year, Garland proved durable, yet hittable, going 14-8 with a 4.90 ERA over 32 starts. Garland has the potential to do great things for a young Diamondbacks team looking for a veteran presence in the rotation. Though only 29 years old, Garland has already been to the playoffs three times in his career. In 2005, he won a World Series ring with the Chicago White Sox, going 18-10 with a 3.50 ERA (a career low) during the campaign and pitched two great games in the playoffs but only winning his ALCS start.
Note to the NL West: his presence will be felt. And when he’s on, watch out. In an already good Diamonbacks rotation with former Cy Young award-winner Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, and phenom Max Scherzer, Garland can take them over the top. Whether he will, though, remains to be seen.
