As it continues to look more and more like C.J. Wilson will not be returning to the Rangers this winter, Texas is left searching for other starting pitching options. Mark Buehrle is already off the free agent market, and what’s left could be described as slim-pickings. For this reason, teams such as the Rangers will likely turn to trades in the coming weeks to fill their rotation needs. It appears Texas has already begun their search as they held preliminary trade talks with the Chicago Cubs regarding their top starter Matt Garza.
Though Cubs president Theo Epstein has said time and time again that Garza is a player teams look to build around, rumors have been flying that the right-hander is indeed available this winter. It makes too much sense for the Cubs to not at least entertain offers for Garza, as the weak free agent class of starting pitchers would only strengthen their negotiations.
Plus, if the Cubs could bring in MLB-ready talent to help jumpstart their rebuilding process, you’d have to assume they’d be willing to trade Garza.
Reports of this willingness have varied over the past few weeks, as reporters have gone from calling Garza available to saying they expect him to be traded.
The Rangers have shown a strong interest in Garza before, and the Cubs are likely looking for significant return for their starter. If Wilson does end up signing elsewhere, it will be interesting to see if the Rangers or another team such as the Yankees or Red Sox are willing to meet the Cubs high demands.
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