There are many people that rip on Jon Garland, please help me understand why. The guy has won double digit games the last two years and is only 24 years old? Also when was the last time he missed a start? Although I believe he can pretty inconsistent at times he has proven to me that he can be a good major league for a time to come. He is cheap as well.

 

Over the last two years;

 

Kerry Wood 26-22 in 65 games

Jon Garland 24-25 in 65 games

Sid Ponson 24-21 in 59 games

 

All things aside I think this guy should be locked up for a while as I think he can win a few games for us over the next few years.

Don't lock him up yet. The guy is way too inconsistant and seems to scare way too easily. I'm not down on him yet, but I am not completely convinced either...

I have no problem with Jonny Boy, there was that time early last year when he was on the verge of being kicked out of the rotation, but he stepped up, and he had a ton of quality starts down the stretch last season.

 

I am gonna once again, predict a breakout season for Jon, the third year in a row, but I don't care!

I like Jon Garland too. The only problem that I see is his consistency. He is very up and down the first part of the season and sometimes fails to deliver the big pitch when needed, but it seems he comes around in the second half and really comes through. I would like to see Jon remain with the Sox also and hope that Don Cooper, et al, can continue his development.

The thing I see with Garland is that he doesnt attack the hitters the way he should as if he isnt sure of his abillity. I really think Garland can be a good pitcher maybe even a #2 guy in the rotation if he would only go after the hitters instead of trying nibble around the corners. If you ever truly watched him pitch he is at his best when he get after the hitters, forces them to hit his pitch instead of trying to make the perfect pitch all the time. The sooner he says the hell with it and just pitches not nibbles but really just cut it loose then we will all the how good he can be. I hope he gets this through is thick head and starts pitching like a man instead of nibbling around like a little b****.

The guy I would love to see us add for just a year, would be Greg Maddux. I think Jon could mold into the same kind of pitcher that Maddux is, and he would stand to learn tons from him.

I agree 100% Maddux would be a great pick up and would do wonders for our young pitchers Garlan, Cotts, Wright, Rauch.

Maddux = Best pitching coach in baseball

I am gonna once again, predict a breakout season for Jon, the third year in a row, but I don't care!

That's the way, Cali, keep predicting the same thing every year and eventually you'll have to be right!!

Or....Garland will be gone and no one will care about the prediction!

I agree...I am a Garland supporter. He's turned the corner and is getting more an more consistent although he still has a bit to go before he's a dominant pitcher and who knows if that will happen.

 

I like Garland though and I think he will be a very solid pitcher. I just don't want to see the Sox start the season with him as the #3 pitcher.

I'm a big fan of Garland and I think he could be a solid #2 starter although more likely a #3 but until he finds some consistancy he should no higher than forth in our rotation.

Garland's biggest problem was Jerry Manuel, who didn't like him at all. Now with him gone watch Garland this year. :fthecubs

If those stats are correct posted earlier, I just became a bigger Garland fan.

Yep.

The guy I would love to see us add for just a year, would be Greg Maddux.  I think Jon could mold into the same kind of pitcher that Maddux is, and he would stand to learn tons from him.

I would rather have Maddux on the Sox than Ponson. Maddux is a pro and knows how to pitch and win. He could do a lot to help people like Buerhle and Garland improve and maybe even show Loaiza a new pitch to make him that much better. I would think it might be possible to sign Maddux at a reasonable price too.

Garland will be fine. All of his weaknesses appear to be the type that can be overcome by maturity. He's getting there.

There are many people that rip on Jon Garland, please help me understand why.  The guy has won double digit games the last two years and is only 24 years old?  Also when was the last time he missed a start?  Although I believe he can pretty inconsistent at times he has proven to me that he can be a good major league for a time to come.  He is cheap as well.

 

Over the last two years;

 

Kerry Wood 26-22 in 65 games

Jon Garland 24-25 in 65 games

Sid Ponson 24-21 in 59 games

 

All things aside I think this guy should be locked up for a while as I think he can win a few games for us over the next few years.

Jon Garland is going to be a big part of this team for a long time to come. Look for Johnny G to have a big season in '04.

Yep, Jerry Manuel was Garland's biggest problem.

 

Now, he can go 16-14 instead of 14-12. Yep, it was Manuel keeping Garland down.

 

Actually, let's just examine this - maybe it was Garland's lack of aggressiveness, maybe it was Garland's lack of a sack, or maybe it was just Garland's lack of confidence.

 

Either way, the guy has a million-dollar arm and a ten-cent head. If he goes 15-14, is that success? In some people's minds, I guess it is. Whatever. He's a #5 on a Championship-caliper team. NOPE.

Now, he can go 16-14 instead of 14-12. Yep, it was Manuel keeping Garland down

.

 

Yet another example of the Black Man keeping a young WASP male down.