Houston Astros' starter Bud Norris is drawing interest from the Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports. Texas views the 28-year old as a backup plan if they cannot acquire Matt Garza from the Cubs.
As Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reported this morning, the Rangers are close to finally obtaining Garza from the Cubs. This would mean that they are out of the Norris sweepstakes, and that he will almost definitely end up elsewhere.
The Red Sox have "checked in on the Norris market and currently believe the Astros' asking price is too high", according to a report from Alex Speier of WEEI.com. If the price comes down, Speier expects the Sox to be more aggressive in pursuit of the Astros' right-hander.
The Astros are looking for two top prospects in return for Norris, as Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported last week. That price is significantly lower than the Cubs' price on Garza, who has drawn interest from as many as twelve teams in recent days.
Norris, who is not a free agent until after the 2015 season, is 6-8 with a 3.63 ERA in 19 starts this season. He is one of many veterans who the Astros will look to swap for prospects before the July 31st trade deadline.
More from MLB Daily Dish:
- Rangers closing in on Garza deal
- Yankees rumors: New York inquired on Padres' Chase Headley
- Giants rumors: Lincecum trade unlikely
- Braves targeting left-handed relievers
- Cuban sensation Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez expects to sign next week
