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Garza Brings Confidence To Mound For Rays

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By MARC LANCASTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 30, 2007

Updated: 11/30/2007 12:22 am

ST. PETERSBURG - Matt Garza was drafted by the Twins in 2005 and rocketed through the minor leagues, leaping from A-ball to the majors in 2006. As such, he hasn't had much time to get to know opposing players.

But as soon as his agent told him there was a pretty good chance he might get traded to Tampa Bay, Garza started studying up on the Rays. What does he know about the two men he'll pitch alongside atop the Tampa Bay rotation, Scott Kazmir and James Shields?

"I know enough that you put us three together and we'll win quite a few games," Garza said Thursday.

Confidence is not a problem for the 24-year-old, on or off the field. Speaking to reporters on a conference call as he drove to the gym to work out, Garza sounded charged up about the opportunity that awaits him after the Wednesday night trade that sent him, shortstop Jason Bartlett and reliever Eduardo Morlan to the Rays for Delmon Young, Brendan Harris and Jason Pridie.

"I started doing some homework on the Rays organization and I was pretty excited because I think it's on the up-and-up, with a new stadium coming in and a bunch of young guys," Garza said. "That's what I like to play with, a bunch of young guys who want to have fun."

There will be some older guys, too, including a new addition to be announced today. Veteran reliever Troy Percival was in St. Petersburg on Thursday to take a physical, which he passed. According to people familiar with the negotiations, the 38-year-old has agreed to a two-year deal that will pay him at least $8 million, but incentives could push the total value of the contract past $10 million.

A renowned competitor during his days as the Angels' closer, Percival should fit right in to an evolving pitching staff that already now boasts three young frontline starters.

In a telephone interview Thursday, Shields rued the departure of fellow Southern Californian Young and his "cannon" arm in right field, but said he's looking forward to lining up alongside Garza in the rotation.

"From what I've heard, he seems like he's the real deal - I guess he throws in the mid-90s and he's a competitor," Shields said. "As a pitcher, when you get guys of that caliber, it's competitive between all of us. It steps our game up and I think it's going to help our squad out."

Though Garza already is locked into the Rays' rotation, he was diplomatic Thursday in suggesting it would be a "dogfight" among a number of pitchers to secure a starting job. It may just be a reflex honed with the Twins, who always seem to have a slew of talented hurlers from which to choose.

But Garza won't have to look over his shoulder after a few bad starts in Tampa Bay; his spot will be assured. The same goes for Bartlett, who will be the Rays' everyday shortstop. The 28-year-old said he was excited about joining the Rays and believed he would be a "good fit." Bartlett said he has always prided himself on doing the little things right, a mission that should cement Rays manager Joe Maddon's approval of the new acquisition.

Bartlett didn't shy away from questions about his defense, which traditionally hasn't been an issue for him.

"There's no excuse I can make" for the 26 errors he committed last season, he said. "I just didn't have a great year."

As a player with a defense-first mind-set, Bartlett said he is looking forward to having a dedicated infield coach in Tom Foley. The Twins didn't have a coach specifically assigned to tutor the infielders.

"It's hard to tell because of the errors I made last year, but I definitely would like to be better defensively as opposed to offensively," Bartlett said. "I think for my position that's a good way to think and that's the way I do think."

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