Matt Garza Rumors: Cubs in no Rush to Deal Garza

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly set the asking price for Matt Garza extraordinarily high.  Nick Carfado of the Boston Globe believes the Cubs have every right to do so and that team president Theo Epstein won’t trade Garza until he gets what he asks for.  Chicago seems to have made clear the fact that they are in no rush to deal Garza, and that the club would be willing to hold onto their ace until this summer’s trade deadline.

While Garza has reportedly drawn significant interest this offseason, the Cubs have yet to receive a trade off that’s blown them away.  Rumors have come out stating that the Cubs have asked for the moon in return for Garza and likely plan on keeping their price high throughout the summer.

At this point, the Cubs are still competing with a free agent market that’s offering teams viable starting options.  Come July, there figures to be far less starting pitching available, boosting the Cubs leverage.  Also, teams could feel more pressure to acquire an impact pitcher at the deadline if they are in the middle of a division or playoff race.

Up until now, Garza’s most likely suitors have been unwilling to surrender the talent it will take to acquire the right-hander.  The Tigers have shown reluctance to trade top prospects Jacob Turner and Nick Castellanos, while Carfado notes that the Red Sox and Yankees also won’t let go of their “A list guys”.

Carfado wonders if the Red Sox interest in Garza will pick up following the Yankees shock-and-awe campaign, or if the Tigers will begin to feel pressure from the Cleveland Indians.  Either of these situations could result in a Garza trade, but, at this point, it appears more likely that the Cubs are prepared to enter the 2012 season with the 28-year-old topping their rotation.

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