Chicago Cubs Receive Strong Haul in Return for Matt Garza

Matt Garza was likely one of the most attractive options to be available on the trade market this summer. (Image Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports)

It’s no secret that the Chicago Cubs were going to deal Matt Garza before the trade deadline and in the last week it became apparent that the Texas Rangers were the most aggressive suitor for his services. The two teams were reportedly close to a deal late last week before things appeared to fall apart, reportedly over an “injury-related concern” that had presented itself as the two sides reviewed medical records. Suddenly that sure thing wasn’t quite so certain, and the weekend was filled with rumblings about a handful of teams entering the mix for Garza’s services.

Yet, the Cubs and Rangers persevered and completed a deal yesterday evening. Garza ultimately heads to Texas, where he’ll join Yu Darvish and Derek Holland atop the Rangers starting rotation. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end (unless the team signs him to a contract extension first), but the Rangers are banking on him helping them reach the postseason for the fourth year in a row. Garza missed time at the start of 2013 as he recovered from a shoulder injury, but has pitched well since his return. He’s 6-1 with a 3.17 ERA and 1.141 WHIP in 71.0 IP over 11 starts. If he can continue at that pace, it’d mark career bests in both ERA and WHIP.

Garza was easily one of the top arms believed to be available at this year’s trade deadline. He also has experience in the American League (two years with the Minnesota Twins and three with the Tampa Bay Rays before joining the Cubs) and experience in the postseason (2-1, 3.48 ERA, 5 GS).

Chicago will receive at least four players in the deal. Initial reaction was overwhelmingly in favor of the haul that the Cubs received in the deal – a clear win for GM Jed Hoyer and President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein. As such, let’s take a closer look at the pieces that the Cubs have acquired in the deal.

Mike Olt has a future at third base, but might get his break in Chicago instead of Texas after yesterday’s trade. (Image Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports)

Third baseman Mike Olt is easily the big-name piece in the deal, as he’s been entrenched in trade talks dating back to last year. The 24 year old entered the season as the 22nd best prospect in all of Major League Baseball, according to Baseball America, but his future with the Rangers has always been uncertain. Blocked by Adrian Beltre at third base, Texas had utilized Olt at both first base and right field at various points last year but he’s remained strictly at the hot corner in 2013.

Olt crushed opposing pitchers at Double-A Frisco in 2012, hitting to the tune of a .288/.398/.579 line with 28 HR in 420 PA before getting a callup to Texas in August. He’d struggle to adjust to the jump to the Major Leagues, however, and mustered a mere .152/.250/.182 line in 40 PA. There was still a ton of promise there, but with uncertainty about his future place in the Rangers lineup it became apparent over the winter that the team was willing to move him in the right deal.

He’s spent the entirety of the 2013 season with Triple-A Round Rock, but he’s been unable to put up similar offensive numbers. Olt’s hit .213/.317/.422 in 268 PA on the year. He’s battled vision problems much of the season, which could be the cause of his struggles.

Chicago has assigned Olt to their Triple-A Iowa affiliate, where it’s believed he’ll play third base daily. He’s considered a strong defender at the position and it seems apparent that he’ll push long time Cubs prospect Josh Vitters into more of a utility role. Olt may see some time in Chicago in September if he can regain his old offensive form as the Cubs continue to look ahead to 2014.

Losing Justin Grimm won’t have a huge impact on the Rangers beyond dipping into their starting pitching depth. (Image Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)

Justin Grimm will also join Olt with the Cubs’ Triple-A Iowa team. The 24 year old right-hander has spent the bulk of the season in the Texas rotation, making 17 starts and throwing 89.0 IP. He’s 7-7 with a 6.37 ERA and 1.652 WHIP. He’d struggled in his last few outings, resulting in the Rangers electing to move him to the bullpen just at the end of last week (though he wouldn’t appear in a game after the move).

Grimm has seen more positive results in the minor leagues since being taken in the 5th Round of the 2010 Draft by the Rangers. He’s 19-9 with a 3.07 ERA in 281.0 IP, with a 1.196 WHIP and 7.5 K/9.

Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News learned that Grimm was not originally discussed in the talks that the two teams held last week. It would seem that Grimm was actually a replacement option in the final deal, as the Rangers balked at including Rougned Odor in a package for Garza once their review of his medical records revealed some concerns over Garza’s elbow. The change certainly works in Texas’ favor, as Odor has quietly become one of the top position prospects in the Rangers system. The 19 year old second baseman has hit .306/.370/.459 in 397 PA on the year with the team’s High-A Myrtle Beach affiliate.

Losing Grimm ultimately won’t have a significant impact on the Rangers future, as he never appeared to profile as more than a 4th or 5th starter. His value was mainly in the fact that he offered up some additional pitching depth within the organization – something that teams are always searching for. It remains to be seen how quickly he might join the Cubs rotation, but it won’t be surprising to see him starting at Wrigley Field before the season concludes.