The Chicago Cubs are close to trading right-hander Matt Garza to the Texas Rangers, according to a report from FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi. The Cubs will receive "a strong package of prospects" in exchange for Garza, but the exact return is still unknown.
According to Joe Davidson of the Sacramento Bee, the Garza-to-Rangers deal is 99% complete, and the teams are in the midst of exchanging medical records. He adds that six players are in the mix in the deal.
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Follow our Cubs StoryStream for every single update!Rangers' prospects said to be in play in talks with the Cubs include third baseman Mike Olt and right-handers C.J. Edwards and Neil Ramirez, according to Rosenthal and Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Texas is not willing to part with pitching prospect Martin Perez reports T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. The Cubs have known all along that Perez would be considered untouchable, and have focused on other highly valued prospects in the Rangers' system. A source confirmed that pitcher Luke Jackson, who was rumored to be a key part of the potential deal, was taken off the table by the Cubs because they had players evaluated higher than him. Other players like Jurickson Profar and Neftali Feliz are not in play in discussions.
Garza's agent was told earlier in the week that the 29-year old would be traded in the near future, according to ESPNChicago's Bruce Levine. Levine also notes that the Rangers, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Indians were told to make their final offers for Garza, but the Rangers are still the clear favorite to acquire him. The Cubs have asked for Indians' third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall in talks with the Tribe, and he would likely be included in any deal between the two teams.
The Red Sox, Diamondbacks and Cardinals have also been rumored to have interest in Garza, and may jump in if a deal with the Rangers falls apart. As of last night, CSNChicago.com's Patrick Mooney reported that Texas was "in the advanced stages of a Plan B" in case they didn't land Garza, and many have speculated that Astros' pitcher Bud Norris could head to Arlington if Garza does not. As noted in this morning's piece, Norris is also drawing interest from the Pirates, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Dodgers and Giants.
As of this afternoon, no players who are involved in talks between the Cubs and Rangers have been notified of a deal, according to sources.
More from MLB Daily Dish:
- Cubs asking for final offers for Garza
- Giants rumors: Lincecum trade unlikely
- Yankees rumors: New York inquired on Padres' Chase Headley
- Astros rumors: Norris market heating up
- Yankees place Derek Jeter on 15-day disabled list
