According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com there is no “real favorite” among the team’s interested in acquiring Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs, but the Red Sox are said to be still involved in talks for the right hander.
Boston is joined by the Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees as other clubs who appear to be seriously interested in trading for Garza. Recently, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that the Toronto Blue Jays were out of the running for Garza as they didn’t want to give up the required amount of prospects that Epstein is asking for.
The logical and easy scenario would be to include Garza as part of the Epstein compensation, but according to Heyman, the Cubs may want to keep the Garza sweepstakes separate. At least that’s the way it appeared when the Cubs balked at Boston’s request for Garza straight up for allowing Epstein to join the Cubs.
Heyman is also quick to point out that the Red Sox don’t have the pitching prospects to satisfy the Cubs desires, as it appears that is the number one priority for Epstein and the Cubs; acquire pitching prospects to build the team around. Both the Yankees and Blue Jays have those pieces, but with the Jays not wanting to part ways with them, that takes them out of the running. It’s been reported that the Yankees aren’t crazy about the asking price for Garza and their interest may be limited because of it.
One name that is mentioned in Heyman’s article is hard throwing right handed pitcher Anthony Ranaudo. He was drafted by Epstein and his minions and could be a valuable piece to send the other way.
The Tigers may have the best shot at landing Garza as they’ve made it public knowledge that they are willing to deal pitching prospect Jacob Turner who could be major league ready this year.
Garza would be a great addition to the rotation and would solve a back end rotation problem that the Sox currently have. He’s only 28-years old and is under the team’s control through the 2013 season. Buckle up, as the Garza sweepstakes appear to have no end in sight anytime soon and it’s sure to be a bumpy ride.
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