Obsessive Matt Garza Trade Watch: Are the Cardinals in the Picture? Should the Indians Be?

matt garza cubsYou can get ready for the next wave of “Matt Garza’s last start as a Cub” pieces in the next 12 to 24 hours. He starts tomorrow night against the Cardinals.

  • Speaking of those Cardinals, Buster Olney says there is some “buzz in the industry” that the Rangers and the Cardinals are the teams most likely to land Matt Garza. The Rangers have been a given for a while now, but that’s the first of any kind of significant buzz I’d heard about the Cardinals. I suppose they could stand to replace Joe Kelly in the rotation with Garza (assuming they don’t believe Chris Carpenter will healthily return over the next month), but I’d be surprised if they’d be willing to commit serious prospects. In fact, I can’t help but wonder if Olney meant to type “Indians,” since they – like the Rangers – have been heavily connected to Garza. If it wasn’t a typo, though, you can forget any dreams of Shelby Miller or Oscar Tavares or even Carlos Martinez. They aren’t happening in a deal for Garza. Even still, the Cardinals have plenty of talent to be an attractive trading partner. Would they deal that talent to the Cubs, though?
  • Speaking of the Indians, Jerry Crasnick hears that they’re hoping to land a pitcher with multiple years of control left, rather than a rental like Garza. Well, I mean, sure. Wouldn’t most teams prefer to land a pitcher with more control than a rental? But those pitchers tend not to be as available (or good) as the rentals. Garza’s the arm that’s on the market, Indians. And he’s the best one.
  • Speaking of the Indians again, Ken Rosenthal doesn’t think it’s a good idea for them to go for broke on Garza. His rationale seems a bit thin, though, apparently resting on the failed Ubaldo Jimenez deal two years ago and the Tigers’ lead in the AL Central. To me, we’re talking about an organization with a fading fan base that clearly decided to “go for it” this offseason. They’re actually close to succeeding in that goal, despite a weak roster before those “go for it” moves. Are they going to stop now when the one thing they clearly need more than anything else is a rotation upgrade? No, maybe they don’t send the Cubs an over-the-top package, but they’ve got to be involved.
  • Speaking of the Garza price, Jon Morosi hears that it’s still quite high. He says it’s partly because the Cubs feel they should get a premium this early in July (i.e., because the receiving team is getting more starts).
  • I mentioned it in the Bullets this morning, but Keith Law believes the Cubs can get a top 100 prospect for Garza (presumably in a package), but not two. A top 100 and a couple organizational top 15s has always sounded about right to me.
  • Olney’s piece also discusses why the Garza heat seems to have died down in the last week, and it’s everything that you’d expect. Uncertainty associated with teams deciding whether to buy or sell and uncertainty associated with the possibly impending Biogenesis suspensions.
  • 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

    Northwestern Returns to Wrigley Field TWICE This Fall

    Northwestern will be making a return to Wrigley Field not just once this season, but twice! Due to the construction of their brand new football stadium, the Cats will be playing five of their seven home games at its temporary...

    Impressive Fill-In Guys, Bullpen Health, Roberts, Javy, and Other Cubs Bullets

    The Cubs come back home from the Pittsburgh-Atlanta road trip having split it 3-3, and I gotta say, that's a pretty solid outcome when (1) you're facing Jones and Skenes, (2) you're playing three in Atlanta where they'd lost just...

    Brennen Davis Homered Again, Back-to-Back with B.J. Murray Jr. (Whom We Should Discuss)

    Just about as soon as I could talk about how Brennen Davis had homered for the third time in four games, he homered AGAIN, making it four times in five games. And this time, just for fun, B.J. Murray Jr....

    Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Beat the Braves to Salvage the Series

    The Chicago Cubs' bats finally came alive last night in Atlanta, albeit with a little bit of help from Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton. On the other side, Javier Assad was brilliant once again. Good win. Needed win. Enjoy the...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Braves 1 – May 15, 2024

    The Cubs took the lead on the very first pitch of the game and didn't look back. They needed that. I needed that. Offense up and down the lineup. Two extra-base hits for Seiya Suzuki. Three times on base for...

    Curt Casali Has Opted Out of His Cubs Deal and is Already Starting Tonight for the Giants

    There's fast, and then there's Curt Casali fast. Er, well, not his basepath speed, but the speed with which he went from catching at Triple-A Iowa for the Cubs to starting behind the plate tonight for the Giants in San...

    Mike Tauchman Ends the Cubs Scoreless Streak on the First Pitch of the Game!

    The Cubs scored exactly zero runs in their last 18 innings in Atlanta. But Mike Tauchman did not let that streak continue long tonight. On the first pitch of the game, Tauchman lifted one over the left field wall for...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Happ Sits Again, Still No Nico

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have dropped each of the first two games in this series, failing to score a single run. Let's see if the following Cubs lineup can have any more luck against Charlie Morton and the Braves...

    Cubs Roster Move: Thompson to the IL, Little Comes Back

    Another day, another Injured List move for the Chicago Cubs. And it's another reliever. That's 15 total Cubs hitting the IL at some point already this year. It's May 15. This time, it's Keegan Thompson going on the IL with...

    Cubs Announce Their Upcoming Rotation, Answering Some Role Questions Along the Way

    When Hayden Wesneski came into relieve Shota Imanaga against the Braves on Monday night, the Cubs all but confirmed that he had temporarily exited the rotation. Wesneski had made three really nice starts against the Red Sox, Brewers, and Padres,...

    Latest News

    Philadelphia Eagles Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The Eagles were bounced in a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023 and are moving to 2024 with hopes of getting back to the Super Bowl. Their full NFL schedule is out for this fall. Let's take...

    Panthers vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 6 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Friday, May 17, 2024

    The sportsbooks like the visiting Florida Panthers (-148) over the Boston Bruins (+124) when they play on Friday, May 17 at 7:00 PM ET.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Panthers vs. Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Panthers (-148)Underdog: Bruins (+124)Total: 5.5Best Panthers vs....

    Avalanche vs. Stars NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 6 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Friday, May 17, 2024

    The Colorado Avalanche meet the Dallas Stars on May 17 at 10:00 PM ET, and have been made -120 on the moneyline, with the latter at +100.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Avalanche vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Avalanche (-120)Underdog: Stars (+100)Total:...

    Best NBA Prop Bets Today – Thursday, May 16, 2024

    In a Thursday NBA playoff slate that includes just one matchup, the Denver Nuggets versus the Minnesota Timberwolves is the only way to catch the NBA today.There are usually lots of NBA player prop bets offered for each and every...

    Northwestern Returns to Wrigley Field TWICE This Fall

    Northwestern will be making a return to Wrigley Field not just once this season, but twice! Due to the construction of their brand new football stadium, the Cats will be playing five of their seven home games at its temporary...

    Brennen Davis Homered Again, Back-to-Back with B.J. Murray Jr. (Whom We Should Discuss)

    Just about as soon as I could talk about how Brennen Davis had homered for the third time in four games, he homered AGAIN, making it four times in five games. And this time, just for fun, B.J. Murray Jr....

    Impressive Fill-In Guys, Bullpen Health, Roberts, Javy, and Other Cubs Bullets

    The Cubs come back home from the Pittsburgh-Atlanta road trip having split it 3-3, and I gotta say, that's a pretty solid outcome when (1) you're facing Jones and Skenes, (2) you're playing three in Atlanta where they'd lost just...

    Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Beat the Braves to Salvage the Series

    The Chicago Cubs' bats finally came alive last night in Atlanta, albeit with a little bit of help from Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton. On the other side, Javier Assad was brilliant once again. Good win. Needed win. Enjoy the...

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, May 16, 2024

    Today's MLB slate has lots in store. Among those six contests is the New York Yankees playing the Minnesota Twins.There are usually lots of MLB player prop bets offered for each and every game. Look below to see what options...

    Best NBA Prop Bets Today – May 14, 2024

    The NBA playoff lineup today, which includes the Minnesota Timberwolves squaring off against the Denver Nuggets as one of two games, is sure to please.There are usually plenty of NBA player prop bets available for each and every matchup. Keep...

    more cubs news