Rangers Close to Acquiring Matt Garza

Garza is on the move to Texas. (Photo Courtesy: www.cbssports.com)

Matt Garza isn't going to remain a Cub much longer. The Rangers Ballpark in Arlington will likely be the pitcher's new home ballpark, as Garza has a 99% chance of dealt to Texas. In return, the Cubs will be receiving a reported six prospects, which may or may not include third baseman Mike Olt. The Rangers have been reluctant to trade top pitching prospect Martin Perez, however. 

The Cubs and Rangers are currently exchanging medical reports, which has had been previously reported. The Cubs will be receiving a solid group of prospects, but the exact details have yet to become available. 

Garza has been rumored in trade talks for weeks, and even though he did say that signing a contact extension was possible, many people believed that Garza would be in the situation he is now. The Dodgers, Blue Jays, Indians, Red Sox, Diamondbacks, and Cardinals were all in the running for Garza, but the Rangers jumped at the chance at acquiring the ace.

Matt Garza has a career 3.80 ERA in 1,098 IP. Garza was apart of the AL Champion Rays in 2008, where he became the clear ace. He went 11-9 with a 3.70 ERA, but also tossed a league-leading two complete-game shutouts. He also has a career 3.48 ERA in the post-season. Garza is probably the top pitcher on this year's deadline market, while the Philadelphia Phillies have not made Cliff Lee available to trade. 

If the deal is completed, Garza will join a rotation with Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, Justin Grimm, Nick Tepesch, and Alexi Ogando. I believe that either Grimm or Tepesch will be removed from the rotation in Garza's place. 

For the Cubs, moving injury-prone Garza for six prospects is a no-brainer for me. Especially when you could be getting the best third base prospect in the country in Mike Olt. Although we do not know the exact details, I have a pretty good feeling that the Cubs farm system will be relinquished quite quickly. 

Yovani Gallardo will now become the "most valued pitcher" on the trade market. The Brewers will most likely want a deal similar to Garza's, so the teams looking for pitching better dig deep down and find some "trade bait." I believe the market for Gallardo won't be as large as Garza's, because they are not the same caliber pitchers. Nonetheless, the trading market for pitchers just got richer, due to this huge deal.