Lukewarm Stove: The Garza Issue, the Phillies and Mariners’ Outfield, Options Off the Board

The rest of the baseball world was doing a bit over the last couple days, too – it wasn’t just the Cubs (though they certainly figure prominently) …

  • The suddenly very big Lukewarm Stove topic for the foreseeable future will be the Cubs’ crowded rotation, and its implications for a Matt Garza trade. I’ll have a bit more on the rotation later this morning, a couple pundits weighed in last night on Garza’s future with the Cubs, and neither sees much of one. Dave Kaplan, of his own volition, responded to a tweet by a CSN colleague about the possibility of the Cubs now extending Garza with a “no chance.” He didn’t really amplify much beyond that, only to say that he can see Garza being traded, but not extended. George Ofman similarly said the free agent pitcher signings mean that the Cubs are “simply steps closer to eventually trading Matt Garza.” When the subject of an extension was brought up, George said it wouldn’t just surprise him, it would “shock” him. So, for whatever reason, a couple insider-y types think there is absolutely no chance Garza is extended by the Cubs.
  • I’ll have many, many more thoughts on Garza as the weeks go by – and I’ve previously written at length about the very difficult decision facing the Cubs – but gut still tells me that he’s virtually impossible to trade for any meaningful value until he shows he’s healthy, at the earliest, in Spring Training. And, truth be told, teams are really loathe to make Spring Training trades. They are disruptive, and require a “perfect fit” type situation, particularly where they involve big-time players who would immediately be inserted into the rotation. The last image teams have of Garza is him holding his arm, and walking off the mound. He says he’s healthy, the Cubs say he’s healthy, and I have no reason to doubt them. But if I’m another GM, faced with the prospect of losing a top young player or two for just one year of Garza? I want a hell of a lot more evidence of health than the Cubs’ opinion or even a medical report. I want to see the guy throw. A lot. I think the crowded rotation certainly makes the Cubs’ willingness to trade Garza an increased proposition – I’m just saying that it has no impact whatsoever on other teams’ willingness to buy at a price the Cubs are willing to sell (other than the fact that it took a couple arms off the market). If the Cubs don’t trade Garza before the season opens, by the way, the receiving team cannot get a draft pick after 2013 if Garza walks. So there is a bit of a deadline on this thing. Otherwise, the Cubs keep Garza, hope he pitches well in the first half, and try to swing the best possible deal at the deadline (or try to get an extension together or receive a draft pick when he walks after the season). Just a bunch of lousy options, as far as I’m concerned. Oh what I’d give for a healthy Garza signed to a reasonable extension through 2016 …
  • It happened a couple days ago now, but the Mariners swapped Jason Vargas for Kendrys Morales from the Angels. The deal probably ends the Angels’ quest to deal an outfielder, but probably amplifies the Mariners’ interest in picking up another quality bat. Morales isn’t it for them, and they’re going to want to add an outfielder. That could mean they step up their pursuit of Michael Bourn, or it could mean they have a stronger interest in someone like David DeJesus. (Alfonso Soriano has already nixed the West Coast, save for the Dodgers.)
  • Speaking of other teams’ outfield needs, the Phillies are now playing the other side of the leverage coin – just days after reports came out that they were hot and heavy on Cody Ross and maybe even Vernon Wells, now GM Ruben Amaro is out saying that the prices on free agent outfielders are “north of where we want to be.” Well, I mean, I’m just saying … I know where you can get a quality outfielder for just $5 million per year for the next two years (if you deal a nice prospect, that is).
  • Speaking of Soriano as a trade candidate: with the rotation becoming average to above-average, and the bullpen starting to look good, are you still on board with dumping Soriano (and Carlos Marmol) for some salary savings and prospects? The offense is already going to be rough in 2013, and, without Soriano, it could be terrifying. Buuuuut, I’m still on board. I still see the rotation moves as being largely about 2014, and I think that, in the right deal, the Cubs could move Soriano without dramatically weakening the overall picture for 2013. It’s still worth pulling the trigger on the right deal.
  • Casey McGehee was already pretty much dismissed as a possible right-handed infield bat (the Cubs still need one), but now he’s very dismissed: he’s headed to Japan.
  • One of the lefty bullpen options is off the board, as Tom Gorzelanny signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Brewers (where he might end up starting).
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

    Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

    Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

    I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

    Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

    Why Craig Counsell Wanted Miles Mastrobuoni on the Cubs’ Bench

    I don't know why Miles Mastrobuoni bugs some folks, but it's probably heavily-weighted toward his small-sample, bad-batted-ball-luck start last year, and that time he didn't dive while playing in right field. It can be hard to shake initial impressions, I...

    Kinda Sounds Like Craig Counsell May Have a Set Top Three in the Batting Order

    New Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said, generally, his batting order philosophy is the very simplistic (and very correct): just get your best hitters the most at bats. Sure, there's some play in that to set up good match-ups,...

    Latest News

    Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    Rangers vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Texas Rangers (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a home game against the Chicago Cubs (0-0) on Thursday, with first pitch at 7:35 PM ET.The Rangers will give the nod to Nathan Eovaldi versus the Cubs and Justin Steele.Rangers...

    Best NBA Prop Bets Today – March 28, 2024

    The Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks take the court for one of two exciting matchups on the NBA slate today.Looking for NBA player prop bets for today's games? This article includes NBA player props for every matchup, so take...

    UNC vs Alabama Predictions and Odds: March Madness Best Bets

    We have a great matchup in the Sweet 16 between (1) North Carolina and (4) Alabama. Let's break down the odds, ATS records, and more for UNC vs Alabama as March Madness continues. Read More: Today's schedule and upset picks...

    Seattle Seahawks Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Seattle Seahawks turn the page on a historic era as they enter the 2024 season without Pete Carroll at the helm for the first time since 2010. Carroll's impact on the franchise is undeniable, crafting a period of sustained...

    Who Is In The Sweet 16? Updated Bracket, Odds to Win, and More

    It has been a great March Madness so far and we have more great matchups in the Sweet 16. Check out what teams are in the Sweet 16, odds, and more as the college basketball season rolls on. Latest March...

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

    The Sweet 16 is here as March Madness brings us some great matchups tonight! Check out today's March Madness schedule along with game times, TV channels, and more as the college basketball season's biggest games continue. The Sweet 16 Begins...

    2024 MLB Mock Draft: Opening Day Mock Draft Projections

    Happy Opening Day! As the new baseball season begins, and hope is present among most fanbases, why not take a look at a new 2024 MLB Mock Draft? Various mock drafts meticulously analyze potential picks, emphasizing the abundance of talent...

    more cubs news