According to one AL executive, the Blue Jays will pursue free agent-to be Jon Garland when he becomes a free agent this off season. With Shaun Marcum out for 2009, the Blue Jays will also go after A.J. Burnett, but are hoping to add Garland to make for one of the best 1-2-3 punch in the American League. Garland is expected to ask for a four year deal worth about 12-14 million dollars annually, so the Jays needs to make sure they want to make that big of an investment. This season, Garland is 14-8 with a 4.79 ERA in 31 games this season, a four game jump in wins from last season.?
Garland makes much more sense for a National League team. He puts up a lot of wins, but playing in the American League keeps his ERA high. Moving to the National League now would make him one of the best pitchers in the league. The Braves, Dodgers, Cardinals, and Brewers are all good options for the pitcher, who have the money to take him in. Garland reportedly hopes to remain with the Angels, but is behind both Teixiera and Rodriguez in the Angels priorities this offseason.?