After Masahiro Tanaka signed with the Yankees, the next-best starting pitcher on the free agent market was probably Matt Garza, who was acquired by the Texas Rangers prior to the July trade deadline and struggled as a Ranger.
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Garza is no longer on the market, as the veteran right-hander has agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, putting him back in the National League, where he had much better success as a member of the Chicago Cubs.
In three seasons in the National League, he was 21-18 with a 3.45 ERA and a K-to-walk ratio of better than 3-to-1. He came to Texas last season with a 3.17 ERA with the Cubs after missing six weeks with a rib cage strain. Before the trade, he was on an incredible two-month tear during which he was one of the best pitchers in baseball. After the trade, he struggled in Texas, going 4-5 with a 4.38 ERA.
The Rangers were likely never truly in on bringing Garza back, even after Holland's injury, but with Garza's signing setting the market at the "other guys" other than Tanaka, the lower-tier guys could start getting signed, and the Rangers will likely be in on one of those.
