September 8, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza (22) looks out onto the field during batting practice before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

As for making space in the rotation, the odd man out now has a name and a face: Carlos Villanueva. The veteran swing man started the 2013 campaign almost as well as any other starter on the staff, but his experience as a relief man, along with getting roughed up by the Rockies in his last start made Villanueva rotation sacrifice of choice. To the credit of the righty, Villanueva has accepted the move to a less glorified role professionally. It remains unreported whether he shaved his throwback mustache to switch up the mojo after getting rocked by Colorado or if it is a different look to reflect his new role on the team. 2010 is the only year in which Villanueva spent a full year in the bullpen. In that season he appeared in 50 games while sporting a 4.61 ERA with a 1.329 WHIP and a 3.05 strikeout to walk ratio.

The organization’s desire to build back up Garza’s trade value is no secret by now. However, with just a month and a half left before the start of July, it remains to be seen just how much market value can be developed no matter how amazing Garza pitches. The righty was slowed by injuries last season as well, and he will be eligible to become a free agent this off season. These two facts certainly would tilt the negotiating leverage in favor of interested trade partners. It would be interesting to see if the Cubs do a 180 degree turn and extend Garza to a deal similar to the one that Edwin Jackson received. Even the free agent market value will hinge on whether Garza stays healthy and pitches well from now until the end of the season, but Garza’s sub .500 career record stacks up to that of Jackson’s. Garza has his new teammate beat in categories such as ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts per nine innings, but Jackson’s durability and inning eating ability can account for some of that discrepancy with a larger sample size of 300 plus innings more worked than Garza.

It was reported that Garza did a little recruiting to get his friend Jackson to sign with the Cubs this off season. This was despite the fact that his own future as a Cub was up in the air. Surely the veteran righty would consider staying put if the Cubs made a fair offer. Theo Epstein and Company could help make that decision a mutual win-win by getting creative with the contract. For the sake of example, both sides could look at an opt out clause after year two or a player option after year three, at which point Garza would be 30 or 31 in terms of age and still be in a position to cash in on a big contract. Such a deal would protect the Cubs from being stuck with a Carlos Zambrano like contract that back fires should Garza not produce or get hurt again, while maintaining some flexibility to deal the pitcher should the player’s value on the market increase while the club remains in rebuilding mode.

First things first, as all this talk is moot without a solid return by Garza in 2013. While the pitcher’s return will not be as highly anticipated as that of Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, the outlook on the big picture for Garza and the Cubs long term plans is just as important for the organization and the Friendly Confines faithful.

Well… maybe not better, but we’re back.

We discuss all sorts of issues including Matt Garza‘s return, how you can wasted at the movies, Carlos Villanueva‘s eventual trip to the bullpen, Jeimer Candelario‘s shocking batting stats in Kane County, Dustin Geiger‘s current successes, and how wine is worse than beer for doing a podcast.

Kick back, listen and enjoy!

May 18, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Scott Feldman (46) is congratulated in the dugout during the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Wrigley Field. Chicago won 8-2. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs jumped on Hefner in the bottom of the fourth. Luis Valbuena hit a sac fly with the bases loaded no outs for the first tally and Welington Castillo made it 2-0 with a RBI single. Feldman then came up to the plate and showed that he could do no wrong of late. He hit a double over the Mets outfielders to plate two more with two outs and the Cubs were up 4-0.

Anthony Rizzo hit his 10th homer of the season in the fifth to make it 5-0 and more than enough runs for the hot Feldman. The Cubs righty allowed seven hits and just one walk over 6 2/3 innings of work, with six strikeouts to round out the nice box score line.

Nate Schierholtz added a solo shot in the eighth to give him five on the season and David DeJesus added a two run single to emphasize the rout. The burst of offense was a sight for sore eyes after being held to two first inning runs against Harvey on Friday afternoon. Hector Rondon blew the shut out bid with two runs allowed in mop up duty, but the win was a comfortable one none the less.