Here's a move that I think could go down as one of the top under-the-radar moves of this off-season: this week, the Diamondbacks signed Jon Garland.I've mentioned Garland before, but here's a guy who will slide into the #3 spot in Arizona's rotation behind Brandon Webb and Dan Haren that was a Cy Young candidate in 2005, helping the White Sox win the World Series. First off, let me just say that the NL West is a very winnable division and I think this move gives the division to Arizona, providing they can find an offense somewhere. Pitching wins championships and when you can pencil a former 18-game winner that doesn't walk a ton of guys into your rotation behind two perennial Cy Young candidates, you're in good shape. Not to mention, most pitchers not named Zito do better in the National League than in the American League, so Garland's high ERA is bound to drop.
If you're thinking fantasy, Garland would be a great late-round pickup that will be good for at least 13 wins if Arizona finds ways to score - but that's a big IF right now. What I don't like about Garland is that he gives up too many hits, but again, the move to the NL should shrink his higher numbers from batters against, making him a nice sleeper.
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