Matt Garza was removed from the Brewers rotation over the weekend, according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Garza was livid when told of the decision.
"It's (expletive)," he said. "It's not my decision. I didn't get much say. It's completely taken out of my hands. That's it. I didn't have any say at all.
"It is what it is. It's just (expletive)."
Originally Garza was given the option to pitch out of the bullpen like his teammate Kyle Lohse. But unlike Lohse, Garza turned down that offer, putting the Brewers in this tough spot.
The Brewers have said that they want to use Garza's spot to look at future options. Zach Davies, who was acquired from the Orioles at the trade deadline, has already been slotted into the rotation and Ariel Pena could be another option. Despite that, manager Craig Counsell told reporters that Garza is a part of the rotation for 2016.
There very well could be financial motives behind this decision. Over the course of the next two seasons, Garza is slotted to earn $12.5 million, with a vesting option for the 2018 season. That will vest at $13 million if Garza is able to make 110 between 2014-2017.
At the current pace Garza will hit 106 starts over the four years, making the three to four starts that he is going to miss this season very valuable. If the option doesn't vest, it will only cost the Brewers $5 million in 2018.