The Texas Rangers are usually one of the most active teams in baseball at the trade deadline and they appear to be doing so once again, as a deal with the Chicago Cubs for Matt Garza is getting close and could get done within a week.
According to ESPN.com and Buster Olney, the Rangers are close to a deal with the Cubs for Garza, who has been excellent recently while winning five straight starts while posting a 1.24 ERA and the trade would likely be for some prospects. Remember of course, the Rangers traded Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter to get a reliever from the Baltimore Orioles, so buyer beware. One of the top prospects being names in the deal is right-hander C.J. Edwards, who has an 1.83 ERA and 122/34 K/BB ratio over 93 1/3 innings in 18 starts as a 21-year-old, while Mike Olt could also be in the deal.
The Cubs are way out of the race and will likely be sellers and another team that is interested is the Los Angeles Dodgers despite already trading for Ricky Nolasco. Other teams involved include the Red Sox, Cardinals, Indians, and Diamondbacks, but it appears that the Rangers are the top option and the favorites for Garza right now. The 29-year-old has pitched like a frontline starter and he would join Matt Harrison and righties Yu Darvish, Alexi Ogando, Nick Tepesch and Colby Lewis and it would be a long time coming, as the team tried to trade for him back when he was on the Rays.
Alfonso Soriano, right fielder Nate Schierholtz, closer Kevin Gregg and left-handed reliever James Russell are also expected to get dealt and Garza is going because he will be a free agent after this season.
According to CSN Chicago, the Cubs are also dealing with TravisWood wants to follow the steps of Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo, who signed extensions with the team and he could join the two as the future core. Wood said that he would like to remain in a Cubs uniform and that he wants to be in the core group with the young stars. The left hander got his first All-Star taste at Citi Field and while he is under control by the Cubs until 2016, they may try to hammer out an extension.
Wood wants a long-term extension with the team, after making his first All-Star appearance and at 26-years-old, it likely is a good idea for Theo Epstein and company. Wood is having a breakout season for the team after posting a 2.79 ERA and going 6-6 with a 1.04 WHIP and now he wants some financial security.