ESPN’s Jayson Stark appeared on Mike and Mike this morning, and stated flatly that, “It looks like Matt Garza is going to get traded today.” There was no hedging (other than the “looks like”), and the information came straight from an executive.
Stark, you may recall, was saying Garza was not going to be traded as recently as two days ago. He’s come around something fierce, which tells me he’s basing this on pretty solid info. He mentions the same teams we’ve been hearing – the Reds, the Rangers, and the Blue Jays – but stops short of suggesting the details of an actual deal.
In related Garza rumors, Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rangers aren’t actually all that enthused with the starting pitching options right now (which would include, probably at the top, Matt Garza). They may instead wait to see how things shake out in August, though they won’t be getting Garza then, as he’ll never clear waivers (or even make it to them on the waiver priority).
Multiple sources, and my gut, say the Reds are an odd fit at best for Garza, for a variety of reasons (tough fit in prospects, in division, money for Garza, full rotation, etc.). That said, Jon Heyman chimes in that Garza is believed to be in play for the Reds.
UPDATE: Nick Cafardo reports that, “at this hour,” the Red Sox are not involved in Matt Garza talks. I don’t really understand it, myself, as they are still very much in contention, and could really use a guy like Garza. But, then again, some Red Sox personnel were saying a week ago that Garza wouldn’t really be an upgrade over what they already have …
UPDATE 2 (at 11:12am CT): Hooray for simultaneously updating posts. Jon Heyman reports that the Rangers are in discussions with the Cubs about Garza, and he says there’s a chance of a deal, but a source told him it was “doubtful.” The Cubs are almost certainly insisting on one of the big three – Mike Olt, Martin Perez, or Jurickson Profar – and the Rangers are, understandably, blanching.
UPDATE 3 (at 11:17am CT): Wow. Nick Cafardo followed up his earlier tweet by saying that the Red Sox were one of a few teams that dropped out of the Garza race because of the triceps injury, but that “Garza will go though.” Wow.
UPDATE 4 (at 12:00pm CT): Ken Rosenthal reports that the Diamondbacks’ brass is at an all hands on deck meeting, and he speculates it’s about picking up a pitcher to counter the moves of the Dodgers and Giants. No indication that it’s Garza, mind you, but they definitely have the pieces to make it happen.
UPDATE 5 (at 12:33pm CT): Buster Olney drops the Justin Upton bomb, which you had to know someone would do at some point. “Diamondbacks working hard on something big, and a Garza/Upton framework makes sense for both Cubs and Diamondbacks.” Before you get nutty, remember: the Cubs are reportedly one of four teams on Upton’s no-trade list. That would be a big hold-up.
UPDATE 6 (at 12:39pm CT): Jon Morosi says the Rays and Rangers have re-engaged in James Shields trade talks. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the Rangers prefer Shields to Garza, even though you could make the case that Garza is presently the better pitcher.
UPDATE 7 (at 12:46pm CT): A baseball source tells Steve Gilbert that there’s nothing to Garza/Upton. There never was.
UPDATE 8 (at 1:03pm CT): Ken Rosenthal just reported on MLBN that Diamondbacks pitching prospect Patrick Corbin has been scratched from his start today, and the panel went nuts speculating that it’s Matt Garza related. Nothing firm there in the least.
UPDATE 9 (at 1:17pm CT): We suspected it, but Bruce Levine confirms: the Blue Jays and Rangers were on hand to scout Garza’s bullpen session yesterday.
UPDATE 10 (at 2:30pm CT): Danny Knobler confirms that the Diamondbacks have considered Garza. Things have gone awfully quiet on the Garza front, though, obviously.
Brett,
Was it you that said the inclusion of the big market teams on Upton’s no trade list was very typical posturing seen quite often?
I think he said that it is typically done for extensions – unless the Cubs and Upton can work out an extention in 2 hours for a player that is signed through 2014, I think this is a pipe dream
There are alway$ way$ to $olve the No Trade Li$t i$$ue.
Thanks for recalling the situation, as well as the swift quick to the groin bringing me back to reality.
ya, if we can get everything we have, plus Webster, Upton + from this deadline, HOLY FREEKIN CRAP.
If it is someone like Skaggs + MOAR, then HOLY FREEKING CRAP.
uptonsplosion!@#$!
You know, Upton is a great name and all but:
1) The Cubs are a(s Brett points out) on his NTL, which means a renegotiated contract. Do we really want to give that money to Upton before locking in Rizzo/Castro?
2) This team desperately needs pitching. If they can’t get it for Garza, they have to sign it, which is again made more difficult by the need to resign Rizzo/Castro to long term deals and the money given to Upton.
You still probably take this, because the opportunity to put together a long term core of Castro-Rizzo-Upton 2-3-4 (likely Torreyes-Rizzo-Upton-Castro in a couple years) you jump at it, but this does cause complications.
Maybe it’s a 3 way trade and Upton is going somewhere else.??
Yes. Its fairly common to see teams like the NYY, BOS, CHC on a no-trade list as a way for a player to retain some leverage in contract extension negotiations.
I don’t see where Upton is a viable solution given we need pitching– unless we were to include other parts in a deal so we could get Skaggs, etc. Upton’s NT list is another impediment
I’d rather have pitching prospects. It’s already hard enough to keep a young Castro focused do we need another in the form of Upton, who is much more vocal about things that bother him? We don’t want that toxic presence in the dugout. Plus we aren’t planning on winning the series next year either, so that means Soler has another full year in the minors before we even consider bringing him up (if he performs of course). There is no need for Upton, there is a HUGE need for pitching though.
The Dbacks do have two outfieldiers in AAA both knocking the crap out of the ball…Eaton and Pollock..and ready to come up. Personally I think Upton is way overrated and has one of those weird even year/odd year things going on. I would much rather get one of the young outfielders with one of the big 3 pitching prospects
this^
I’m going to keep plugging for Eaton…he’s only 5’8″ so he often gets overlooked as a spec (da-dum), but he has never posted an OBP less than .409 as a professional and his current slash in AAA as a 23 yo in AAA is 379/454/539
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=eaton-002ada
Isn’t Pollack on Oakland? Part of Cahill deal
Not sure if we are talking about the same guy. A.J. Pollock is in Arizona’s system at AAA Reno
Nice work and thanks for keeping us updated to the minute!
Dbacks get Garza, Vitters, Lake, Jackson
Cubs get Upton and loads of pitching
Get it done!
I don’t think they want our failed prospects any more than we do
Upton = OBP machine. Hit 31 dingers last year but power has diminished this year, not sure why. Has a good ceiling, still just 24 years old, and not a FA until 2016.
his power has diminished for the same reason starlins batting average is down. trying to become a more selective hitter. power will come back once he becomes more comfortable
Building around Upton, Castro, Rizzo and Samardzija would be a good core. Obviously need more pitching, but the lineup with Castro, Rizzo, Upton would look pretty damn good.
JIM BOWDEN @JimBowdenESPNxm
Justin Upton is not involved in trade negotiations with Matt Garza
That’s no fun…
Skaggs or Bradley and Upton is a deal cubs need to make
I know thisi s dreamland but wouldn’t it make sense to send Soriano to Arizona to replace Uptons bat along with Garza?
AZ’s got enough Of’s with Kubel, C. Young and Parra (gold glover), even without Upton.
But its not going to happen anyways.
Garza, Jackson
for
Skaggs, Bradley, young high upside pitcher
All about the pitching
I prefer your proposed deal to a Upton deal. Skaggs is a future ace lefty. Cubs should do anything they can to pry Skaggs away from the D-Backs.
Brett the next update will be “URGH get the spiders off me, have you seen my trade monkey ninja dragon I can’t find him anywhere”
I think you’re my favorite poster – way to keep this fun
That’s the best handle I’ve seen in a while.
Thanks got to keep the fun in all this I’ve been having a blast on twitter
I love that a real reporter had to call someone at the Diamondbacks to ask about that insane Garza/Upton thing. Lololololololol.
I don’t know if anyone has mentioned it or has noticed but Jackson is back in the lineup in Iowa. He just struck out for the 2nd time in three at bats.
Corbin for the Dback was scratched from AAA start today! For what its worth
Why not bundle Garza & Demp to get higher quality prospects?
Quality > Quantity
I’m not sure you can usually bundle two SPs to one team. I mean if they’re in contention their rotation is probably pretty good or at least decent and they’re probably just looking for 1 arm.
Corbin better be the 3rd player in a trade for Garza or 2nd if the 1st player is Bauer, Bradley, or Skaggs. Corbin is not in the Top 100 and 8th in Backs system.
…Refresh… *Switch to Dempster Story* …Refresh… *Switch to Garza Story* …Repeat…
+1
Don’t forget to rinse!
My F5 key is now broken! Ack!
Google Chrome…..
Ctrl + Tab, Ctrl + R, Ctrl + Tab, Ctrl + R. Repeat, repeat, repeat. I’ve got 9 tabs open. lol
Corbin can’t be the centerpiece in a deal for Garza. I would think Skaggs is way too much to give up for Garza also. Beyond the top 3 pitching prospects for the D-Backs, I just don’t see them offering enough.
what if dbacks tell cubs we’ll take garza only if you dont trade demp to la. I mean, probably not, but you never know
Corbin is alright, but I think we can do better.
Agreed…we’d need more than just Corbin for Garza.
But Corbin for Dempster?!
I totally expect that with all of these crazy rumors flying around about Garza and Dempster, for there to be a Lahair/Camp deal come out of the frey.
I had to switch keyboards at work because my F5 key got stuck down. Also switched my mouse out because the left button got stuck. A guy two cubes down is on vacation and received the broken keyboard and mouse… Lucky him…
Your keyboard has an F5?!
WHERE IS DICK TIDROW WHEN WE NEED HIM MOST
Quiet before the storm on the Garza trade maybe?
Yea, I mean, 45 minutes without an update? I figured Garza had retired and died of old age I hadn’t heard about him in so long.