As the MLB trade deadline draws closer and closer, the spotlight on the Chicago Cubs pursuit to deal Matt Garza continues. Sources say the Cubs and Texas Rangers were close to a deal that would send Garza to Arlington for third base prospect Mike Olt, and pitchers Neil Ramirez and C.J. Edwards.
According to reports, the Rangers pulled out of the deal after seeing medical reports on Garza, but are still believed to have interest in acquiring him. If the Rangers end their Garza talks, they are believed to have set their sights on Houston Astros starter Bud Norris.
Garza missed significant time in 2013 with a strained lat, but since his return has gone 6-1 with a 3.17 ERA. The Rangers are unquestionably in the market for a starting pitcher as injuries have torn Texas' rotation in pieces.
Yu Darvish, Alexi Ogando, Matt Harrison, Colby Lewis, Nick Tepesch and Neftali Feliz will are all on the disabled list. While Norris has been solid in 2013, going 6-9 with a 3.91 ERA on one of baseball's worst teams, his gaudy strikeout numbers have been down this season, with his strikeouts per nine innings mark dipping from 8.8 to 6.2.
Garza's strikeouts per nine innings weren't as high as Norris' to start with, but it currently stands at 7.9. That's no small factor; in a hitter's park like The Ballpark in Arlington, missing bats is crucial.
Whether or not Texas pulls the trigger on a Garza deal, the pitcher has said he's been informed by his agent that he will be traded. "They told my agent [earlier in the week] that they were going to move me," Garza said. "They said as much as they like me they need to add inventory for the future. I want to stay, but that doesn't seem possible now."
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays have all been involved in talks for Garza.
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