Various media reports indicate that the Cubs are pushing hard to get top dollar for Matt Garza. However, most general managers polled indicate that Garza is not a touted number one ace but a "solid number three" starter. The Cubs may be wanting too much for Garza.
The Texas Rangers have now been linked to be the most likely trade partner. Garza has gone 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA in his last six starts and has experience pitching well in both the AL East and the postseason.The Rangers have four starters - - - Yu Darvish, Alexi Ogando, Matt Harrison and Colby Lewis — on the disabled list, so they have need some insurance for the rest of the season. Texas is expecting Darvish and Ogando back. Things are more uncertain with Harrison and Lewis. A second half rotation of Darvish, Garza and Derek Holland would line up 1-2-3 for the playoffs. The Cubs have traded with Texas last season.
As indicated previously, it is doubtful that the Cubs will get more than the Rays received when on January, 2010, GM Jim Hendry finalized a trade that brought Garza (and Fernando Perez and Zach Rosscup)to Chicago from the Rays for Chris Archer, Hak-Ju Lee, Robinson Chirinos, Sam Fuld and Brandon Guyer. Archer, 24, is now in the Rays rotation. The rest have hit the majors. Fuld has been the 5th OF for the Rays. Lee, Chirinos and Guyer have had injury problems, but Lee would have made it to the majors this year except of a knee problem this spring.
There may be some irony if a deal gets done. Chirinos is now the #3 catcher with the Rangers. If the Cubs move Dioner Navarro, then the Cubs need a back up to close out the season. Mike Olt, the player the Cubs wanted last season, is still blocked by Adrian Beltre at third. The Cubs drafted Kris Bryant to play third long term. Olt batted .194 this year and has been reassigned to AAA. He is still ranked the Rangers No. 1 prospect.
The Cubs will not get a top 10 prospect like #3 SP Cody Buckel, major league ready #5 RP William Font, #8 19 year old power hitting 2B Rougned Odor, or #10 SP Luke Jackson. The Cubs may get a next tier player such as 24 year old Class AA SP Neil Ramirez or 21 year old Class A SP Alec Asher.
The problem is two fold. The Cubs may have priced their demands outside the market for teams looking for a No. 3 starter. Also, the Cubs have made it clear that they do not intend to keep Garza, which lessens any bargaining power.
