Results tagged ‘ Matt Garza Trade Rumors ’
Prognosis grim for Garza
Just 10 short days before the trade deadline it looked like Matt Garza was the most logical starting pitcher to be traded at the deadline, and the most valuable one too. Reason being any team that acquired Garza 
would have him under team control for one full season after 2012 and a draft was still attached to his name. Boy how things have changed in just a matter two plus weeks.
On Monday it was announced that Garza suffered a stress reaction in the back of his right elbow. A diagnosis that was much worse than originally feared when everyone thought it was just a cramp. The injury is serious enough to end Garza’s season if it doesn’t improve and fast. Because of the injury Garza now looks to be headed for the Cubs rotation next season as Jed Hoyer said yesterday that they are excited to have Garza as a member of the Cubs moving forward and they are not looking to deal him at all. Well, yeah, because right now the only thing you might get back in a deal for Garza is Geovany Soto, and no one wants that.
It could end up being a blessing in disguise as the Cubs are now likely to resume talks with Garza about an extension, assuming he returns to health. He could be a piece that Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer look to build their rotation around. Personally I think the best option is still to deal him. The Cubs could move him in the winter or at next years trade deadline, unfortunately the return will be much less than if they could have moved him this year, I think.
Thanks for reading,
- George
Some More on the Trade Front
- The Cubs will reportedly not comment on any trades tonight and will wait until tomorrow morning. Obviously as we find more out we let you know.
- After the injury to Matt Garza it appeared it was going to be a long shot to move him, but it seems there are a few teams who are still interested. The Cubs let teams look at his medical reports and some teams might be satisfied.
- The teams that have shown interest in Garza are the Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, and the Cincinnati Reds and according to some sources there is good chance he gets moved.
- Nothing new on Dempster yet, but with Maholm going to the Braves, I am guessing he won’t end up there, but you never know.
- Who will come up after the deals are completed, I am guessing Welington Castillo will be up in Soto’s place and there have been rumors that Brett Jakcson, who was taken out of the Iowa could be on his way or it could be someone like Dave Sappelt.
We will keep you updated throughout the night and tomorrow.
- Mark
Countdown to the Deadline: Latest Rumors NOT About Dempster
Lost is all the Dempster hoopla is the fact that the Cubs are still in a building process and have a number of assets that other teams can use. Here is the latest chatter about some of those assets, this post will be a Dempster free zone starting… now.
It’s about time that Alfonso Soriano’s name starts getting mentioned in some of these trade rumors. Soriano’s is in the midst of a resurgent 
season and surely a team in the AL could use a slugging DH. Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports reports that at least one team has inquired about Soriano.
Morosi on Soriano-
With Soriano, the issue is – and has been – money. He has roughly $6 million left on this year’s contract, followed by $18 million in each of the next two seasons. The Cubs likely would need to include a substantial amount of money to facilitate a trade. On top of that, Soriano has a full no-trade clause.
The Dodgers, Giants, Indians and Pirates are among the teams that could benefit from Soriano’s power
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Morosi also chimes in about Matt Garza, yes he is still on the Cubs, we just haven’t heard much about him since he left injured last Friday and he won’t pitch again until Monday July 30th (maybe). The Cubs are talking with multiple potential suitors for Garza. Morosi also reports that the Dodgers appear to be serious in their attempts to get Garza as a Zach Lee for Matt Garza deal may have been discussed, at this point I don’t think that is a reality.
ESPN’s Jayson Stark temper’s that interest as he reports that clubs have not been assured that Garza will make another start before the deadline, and is more likely to be dealt in the offseason than at the deadline, if at all.
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Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reported back on 7/23 that the Orioles have been making calls with the hopes of addressing their corner infield issues. One of those guys they have kicked the tires on is Bryan LaHair. These talks have been preliminary, there is nothing serious as of yet, but if another team is interested in LaHair the Cubs would jump at the chance to get anything for him.
Thanks for reading,
- George
Countdown to the Deadline: Dodgers Back on Dempster
Just before Ryan Dempster was placed on the DL there were very strong rumors suggesting that he was about to be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Well, those rumors seem to be resurfacing. As Jon Heyman suggests the Dodgers might want to make a huge splash and get both Dempster and Garza from the Cubs. Now, given the fact that the Cubs want to get as much as possible back for both guys I would really doubt that they 
would agree to send both pitchers to the same team but as always it depends on the return.
From Heyman’s article
“The Dodgers have long been known to be targeting Dempster and are seen as a favorite for him. But it turns out they’ve had conversations about Garza, as well.
Either one would make a nice addition to the Dodgers, who’ve managed to hang onto first place despite a long absence by superstar Matt Kemp and several other injuries (Kemp is due back Friday, and Andre Ethier is expected back if not Friday, then a day or two after that). Ted Lilly, who is injured for the Dodgers, is close to Dempster from his Cubs days and would presumably recommend him highly.”
Heyman Continues
“The Dodgers have the money to take a decent-sized contract, but the Cubs prefer to get talent back from their top chips. Young pitcher Zach Lee is considered the Dodgers’ top prospect.”
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Of course, the Dodgers are not just going to be allowed to swoop in and have Dempster all to themselves. Per Bruce Levine of ESPN, there are expected to be upwards of 10 scouts attending Dempsters Saturday start in Arizona.
“The Ryan Dempster trading market will see a huge surge on Saturday as upwards of 10 teams will have scouts on hand to watch the Chicago Cubs’ veteran right-hander pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks. “
Some of the best players in their game also voiced their opinion of potentially landing Dempster at the deadline, this is the perfect storm for the Cubs, the more I see the more I think they could make a killing in a deal for both Dempster and Garza.
“When you see all the top teams in baseball, they are always deep in quality pitching,” the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp said. “If it is possible to add a pitcher like Ryan Dempster of course you would do it. He has been pitching great and he is healthy again, not to mention he has the best ERA in baseball. He would be a great addition.”
Future Hall of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones is a big Dempster fan.
“Ryan is one of the most respected guys in baseball,” Jones said. “He goes out there every five days trying to stick it to you. Any team would be lucky to get him. We could use some help trying to catch the Nationals, so getting someone like Demp would certainly bolster our chances.
Thanks for reading,
- George
Countdown to the Deadline: Chicago Cubs Rumors
Depending on how you look at it the next three weeks could be exciting or gut wrenching. Count me in for being excited, because within the next three 
weeks Theo Epstein and the Cubs are going to get better. That’s the plan anyway as the Cubs have a number of attractive players that could net them a favorable return in a trade.
Seeing that we are now at the all-star break, which means a whole four days without Cubs baseball, what better time than now to start our countdown to the deadline. We will have daily rumor updates, and trade news/analysis leading up to the deadline and then a deadline special on the 31st. Trust me, you should be excited, check out some of the latest rumors below.
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According the MLB GM’s, Matt Garza is the most valuable pitcher on the trade market right now. Yes, in a year where Cole Hamels and Zack Greinke are on the block, the majority of the general managers feel Garza is the #1 target. Why? Control, and a draft pick. The Cubs are asking for three top pieces in return for Garza, and they just might get it. Matt Garza is under team control for another year and a half, meaning if he is traded the team that gets him won’t have to worry about signing him to an extension right away. A huge difference between Garza, and Hamels and Greinke is that a draft pick will still be attached to Garza, not the case for Hamels and Greinke, thanks CBA.
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Ryan Dempster returned from the DL yesterday and pitched awesome once again. Per Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, a healthy amount of scouts expected to in attendance for Dempster’s return to the mound. Demp definitely didn’t do anything to hurt his trade value as he extended his scoreless streak to 27 innings. The Dodgers, Yankees, and the Braves have shown interest in Dempster, the Dodgers and Yankees showing the most. The Cubs have also let it be known that they will eat almost all of the Dempster’s remaining contract for this season which should increase the return in a deal.
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The Tigers have expressed interest in Darwin Barney and went as far as approaching the Cubs about a deal. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that talks really didn’t progress from there. The Tigers also expressed interest in Matt Garza, the fact that the Tigers are looking at two guys on the Cubs could lend itself to a bigger deal. You can read all about that here, Morosi mentions that the Cubs and Tigers discussed a potential deal for Garza back in January but could not reach an agreement.
Thanks for reading,
- George
