This morning, the reports came out that the White Sox had traded away Jon Garland to the Angels for Orlando Cabrera. With his contract up after next season, it's wasn't a complete surprise, although at first I thought it would be for Miguel Cabrera instead. So far, I'm undecided how I feel about the deal from a purely baseball perspective, but baseball aside, the news was still kind of bittersweet.
Although Garland had a very mediocre 2006 season, and has never fully lived up to his potential, it's still kind of sad to see him go. In some ways, it marks the end of an era and signals the beginning of a new direction.
In the end, every Sox fan will always (or at least should) feel thankful for his contributions throughout the 2005 World Series run. I will personally remember him for the complete game he pitched in the ALCS, taking a picture of him catching the "first pitch" from my friend at a game in 2006, and of course, his sluggish demeanor on defense.
Anyways, going to the ballpark won't be quite the same next year without him. We'll miss you, Jonny boy, and certainly wish you the best in Anaheim (except when you pitch against the White Sox, of course).
