Hopes for the Offseason: Jaime Garcia

Note: Hopes for the Offseason will be a series of posts regarding my hopes for players on the current St. Louis Cardinals’ 40-man roster.

Jaime Garcia is pretty decent when he’s healthy. But when exactly has he been healthy lately?

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He’s had his moments but he’s not been solidly good for sometime. I’d say 2011 was the last time we saw him effectively good at his craft. This season will mark the final of a four year contract, that began in 2011, worth $27 million. He’s owed $9.25 million this season. He has team options for 2016 and 17. It’s hard to say that he will see those option years. He may not even make it to or even through this season.

He is going to have to have a great offseason and a great spring training.  This may be asking a lot of Garcia.

See. We really don’t know what’s going on with him. In July, Garcia had surgery to alleviate symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. This is the same condition that forced Chris Carpenter into retirement a couple of seasons ago. According to reporting from Jenifer Langosch, the estimated recovery time from this surgery, which is an invasive procedure that involves removing the top rib on Garcia’s left side, is three to four months.

Since 2011, when he made 32 starts, Garcia has totaled 36 appearances. You could make the astute assessment that Garcia is snake bitten. He’s not confident. Scared of making it worse.

It’s unfortunate. Because in 2011, and in seasons before, you could see Jaime had loads of potential. That he could be amazing.

My hope for Jaime’s offseason is that he comes back to his 2011, and pre-2011, form. That we see a return of his confidence. A return to his potential. A return to his potential greatness.

Otherwise, getting a free agent pitcher or a pitcher via trade will be even more important for the St. Louis Cardinals.