Dodgers decline Garland’s $10 million option

When the Diamondbacks traded Jon Garland to the Dodgers on August 31 they agreed to pay his remaining 2009 salary and cover his $2.5 million buyout for 2010, so it comes as no surprise that Los Angeles officially declined the right-hander’s $10 million option this afternoon. Garland pitched well for the Dodgers down the stretch, going 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in six starts, but didn’t appear in the NLDS and was left off the NLCS roster. He finished the year 11-13 with a 4.01 ERA and 109/61 K/BB ratio in 204 innings overall, making at least 32 starts for the eighth straight season and posting an ERA in the 4.00s for the seventh time during that span. His strikeout rate is among the worst in baseball and Garland doesn’t have especially good control, but he’s incredibly durable, induces plenty of ground balls, and is still just 30 years old despite seemingly being around forever. Garland received $8.75 million in guaranteed money from Arizona as a free agent last offseason and should have no trouble securing a one- or two-year deal for at least $5 million per season this winter.