Matt Garza has remained in the headlines all winter. The trade rumors don't bother the Cubs pitcher, who's only 28 years old and already on his third team. He understands this is a business.
What stunned Garza was finding out that his 2008 American League championship ring was stolen from his California home in late January. The Fresno Bee reported that the diamond-studded ring was valued at 30,000 and engraved with his name. He earned it on the miracle Tampa Bay Rays team that went to the World Series one year after losing 96 games.
"Everything's still just kind of one big blur," Garza said over the phone. "Me and my wife went through the house and they really didn't take anything else of monetary value. (It) was more of the shock. That's kind of what got usjust the sentimental value of those items that were taken. But we're just glad that no one got hurt and we're all safe. Those things can be replaced."
The Garza interview ran Tuesday on "Chicago Baseball Hot Stove." The day before, Garza spoke with CSNs Chuck Garfien while driving through California on the way to the Cubs complex in Arizona.
While the media constantly speculated about where he might be traded next, Garza had enjoyed spending most of the offseason with his family in the Chicago area. His mother had taken his grandparents by his Fresno County home when they discovered the break-in.
She walked around the backyard before going inside, Garza said, just to see how the landscapers have been doing and stuff like that, just checking out my house. And she noticed the back bay window was shattered. So they went through the front door (and) saw an attic open and she called the cops."
Garza developed into a first-round pick at Fresno State University and grew up in the area. He said he doesnt know whos responsible for the burglary.
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I don't want to accuse anybody of anything, Garza said. It's just not the thing to do. You (make) one accusation and it just snowballs, so that can never be a good thing. I trust that neighbors (would) do what all neighbors do, and that's report (whatever they see). Neighbors have told me (before and) watched over my home. They're very (trustworthy) people.
"It's not like (the ring is) just going to pop up. I hope it would, that would be awesome. But they're doing their police work and (asking) questions. We've gone over many things, all the situations and scenarios.
Last week, Garza avoided an arbitration hearing and agreed to a one-year, 9.5 million deal, plus performance bonuses. He will also remain under club control for the 2013 season.
Theo Epstein has described Garza as exactly the type of pitcher youd like to build around, and mentioned the possibility of a contract extension, though its unclear just how far those talks progressed.
The Cubs president of baseball operations also has a five- to 10-year plan that might not exactly match Garzas timeline. Epstein once watched Garza eliminate the Boston Red Sox and win the 2008 ALCS MVP award. A proven playoff pitcher would be an attractive chip at the trade deadline this summer.
Does he want to be here long-term?
"Yeah, why not? Garza said. It's a great organization to play for, with a lot of history, a lot of tradition and there's great support from up top. What more can you ask for in an organization?
Everybody who comes to Chicago knows about the city. It's amazing. It's so diverse. There's so much you can teach (your kids here). The fans are some of the greatest. They're true diehard fans. To be a fan of a team that hasn't won in (103) yearsyou can't say (much more than that). They're the most loyal fans in baseball.
Garza will likely begin the season in a Cubs uniform, on a team with almost no expectations, but its unclear where it will all end. A big-game pitcher has already been part of a team that shocked the world.
"There's a lot of excitement and buzz, Garza said. There (are) a lot of hungry, hungry, hungry young guys who want to show what they can do. And like I said back in January (at the Cubs Convention), with young kids a lot of things (can) happen. It's going to be a lot of fun to be down there and get things going.