It's the All-Star break, and while they aren't
allowed to announced trades during this time, there is no doubt that Theo
Epstein and Jed Hoyer are hard at work trying to trade starting pitcher Matt
Garza before his next start. Garza is probably the best available player
at the trading deadline, and could instantly step in and help a contender push
toward the playoffs. He is not an ace, but Garza is probably a solid
number 2, and a high end number 3 starter at best. Because of this,
people are talking about the possible packages that Garza could bring in return. Because of the number of teams interested (could be 8 or more teams),
Garza should net a very good prospect return for the Cubs. In order to keep all of you informed, I have done all the research and put together players from each team involved that you could/want to see in a package for Garza. No, Garza will not return a top 20 prospect, but he should bring back a borderline top 50 prospect, as well as 2 other organizational top 20 prospects from a decent system.
This post might be lengthy, but here you will get all of the info you need about players that the Cubs should be trying to get in a trade for Garza. These teams will be arranged by how likely I think a trade is, starting with the most likely destination for Garza. The teams interested as reported by David Kaplan and Jim Bowden are the Rangers, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Indians, Cardinals, Nationals, Diamondbacks, Pirates, and Rockies.
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| Mike Olt |
In your dreams-INF Jurickson Profar
Most likely staying put-LHP Martin Perez, RHP Tanner Schneppers, RHP Neftali
Feliz
Just about right-3B Mike Olt, INF Luis Sardinas, C Jorge Alfaro, RHP Neil
Ramirez
Interesting Names-OF Leonys Martin, LHP Robbie Ross, RHP Justin Grimm, RHP Nick Tepesch, 3B Joey Gallo, RHP Luke Jackson, RHP Cody Buckel
The Rangers have a ton of interesting pieces. Profar isn’t going anywhere, and Martin Perez will likely not be included in a deal for Garza. Feliz is an interesting guy that the Cubs have rumored interest in, but I don’t see him being moved. Mike Olt, despite his vision problems and lack of production this year, will probably be in this deal if it happens. Luis Sardinas is an uber talented middle infielder, while Alfaro is a solid catcher, but he is unlikely to be dealt. The Rangers have a stock of young arms, including Ross, Grimm, and Tepesch with Major League experience. Joey Gallo has light tower power, but he strikes out a ton.
You’ll be happy if the Cubs get…Mike Olt, Neil Ramirez, and Luke
Jackson. I like this package for the Cubs. Olt is a top 50 prospect who has a ton of
offensive and defensive upside. Ramirez
was a first round pick who is flat out dominating AA this year. Jackson has also been great at High A. This trade gives the Cubs the top talent they
want, along with some quality arms to add to their system, which is generally
devoid of pitching talent.
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| Will Middlebrooks |
In your dreams-SS Xander Boegarts
Most likely staying put-OF Jackie Bradley Jr.
Just about right-RHP Anthony Ranaudo, RHP Matt Barnes, RHP Allen Webster, LHP Henry Owens, 3B Garin Cecchini
Interesting names-RHP Brandon Workman, RHP Rubby De La Rosa, 3B Will Middlebrooks, RHP Daniel Bard, C Blake Swihart
Holy pitching prospects Batman!!! The Red Sox are loaded with pitching talent, although they’ve said again and again that they don’t want to trade any of it. I don’t see any logic in this, especially with a loaded NL East. Ranaudo may be off limits, but Barnes, Webster, or Owens would be a solid centerpiece, although Owens probably has the least value of that group due to command issues. Cecchini is solid as well, but I feel the Cubs will focus on pitching from the Sox. The front office does know a ton about most of these guys. Middlebrooks and Bard are solid buy low candidates who the Cubs should be able to get as throw-ins.
You’ll be happy if the Cubs get…Matt Barnes, Henry Owens, Will Middlebrooks, and Daniel Bard. Barnes and Owens are probably the two guys out of the big 4 that have the lowest stock right now, but both are loaded with talent. Command has been a bit of an issue for both, but both have middle of the rotation upside. Middlebrooks and Bard are simply toss-ins here, but both could use the change of scenery, especially Bard. While neither offer much value, they’ll be solid players for the Cubs try to turnaround. Ranaudo has been so good, I doubt the Cubs will be able to pry him away, but Barnes and Owens would be a good return.
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| Sean Nolin |
In Your Dreams-Nobody
Most likely saying put-3B Brett Lawrie
Just about right-RHP Aaron Sanchez, RHP Marcus Stroman, LHP Daniel
Norris
Interesting Names-C AJ Jimenez, RHP Deck McGuire, LHP Sean Nolin
The Blue Jays system is nowhere
near as deep as the Rangers, but there are some quality names here. The Cubs would no doubt ask for Aaron Sanchez
in any trade for Garza. If the Blue Jays
oblige, Marcus Stroman and Daniel Norris are probably off limits in the same
deal. Catcher AJ Jimenez is solid
defensively and has proven himself offensively in the minors, but that shouldn’t
translate to a great big league bat.
You’ll be happy if the Cubs get…Aaron Sanchez, AJ Jimenez, and Sean
Nolin. Sanchez is the top pitching
prospect the Cubs want in a deal for Garza.
Jimenez would immediately step in and be the Cubs top catching
prospect. While he’s nothing to be
excited about with the bat, he can definitely handle the duties behind the
plate. Nolin is having a fantastic year
and is a quality lefty prospect, who should be able to be a back of the rotation
kind of guy.
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| Zach Lee |
In your dreams-OF Yasiel Puig (haha good one)
Most likely staying put-SS Joc Pederson
Just about right-RHP Zach Lee, SS Cory Seager, LHP Chris Reed, RHP
Matt Magill
Interesting names-LHP Julio Urias
The Dodgers have some interested
names including Joc Pederson, but he probably isn’t going anywhere. Zach Lee would make a solid centerpiece as he
has been very good at AA this year.
Seager is a good infielder, but I just see the Cubs focusing on pitchers
like Reed and Magill in a return for Garza.
While I don’t believe that the Cubs will get Reed and Lee for Garza,
Magill and Lee could definitely happen.
Add in a throw in lower level guy or two, and you have a solid return.
You’ll be happy if the Cubs get…Zach Lee, Matt Magill, and a lower
level prospect. This gives the Cubs the
pitching they crave, without the Dodgers having to part with their top guy
Pederson. Lee is a solid middle of the
rotation guy, but he probably isn’t an ace.
Reed probably has the best stuff, so the Dodgers keep him as well, while
the Cubs will also get Magill, who is a quality back of the rotation guy in his
own right.
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| Trevor Bauer |
In your dreams-SS Francisco Lindor
Most likely staying put-None
Just about right-RHP Trevor Bauer, RHP Danny Salazar, RHP Cody
Allen
Interesting names-OF Tyler Naquin, 1B Jesus Aguilar
The Indians system isn’t great,
but there are a couple quality arms.
Bauer has great stuff, but his command is a big time problem. Salazar has great stuff, including an awesome
change up, while Cody Allen has a great curve which allows him to strike out a
lot of hitters. I don’t see much else of
interest here for the Cubs, so this isn’t a great match, but crazier has
happened.
You’ll be happy if the Cubs get…Danny Salazar, Cody Allen, and two
lower level prospects. While getting
Bauer and Salazar would be great, I don’t see it happening, but hey, the Indians
did give up Alex White and Danny Pomeranz for Ubaldo Jimenez. Salazar provides a solid starting rotation
option, while Allen has a power arm that probably profiles to the back of the
bullpen, but he could get a chance to start in the Cubs system.
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| Michael Wacha |
In your dreams-OF Oscar Tavares, RHP Shelby Miller
Most likely staying put-RHP Trevor Rosenthal, RHP Carlos Martinez,
1B Matt Adams
Just about right-2B Kolten Wong, RHP Michael Wacha, OF Stephen
Piscotty
Interesting names-LHP John Gast, RHP Jordan Swagerty, RHP Tyrell
Jenkins, RHP Michael Blazek
Let me just start out by saying
this probably won’t happen due to the fact that the Cubs and Cards are in the
same division. The Cubs probably don’t
care, but the Cards do not want to see their prospects successful for the Cubs
for years to come. Miller, Tavares,
Rosenthal, Martinez, and Adams are pretty firmly engrained with the Cardinals,
but Wong would be a good starting piece.
Wacha dipped his toes in the big league pool briefly and he would
probably need to be part of the trade.
There are some other interesting arms here, and due to the high price
the Cubs will likely ask for, one of them might need to be included.
You’ll be happy if the Cubs get…Kolten Wong, Michael Wacha, and
Jordan Swagerty. Wong is a top 50
prospect in baseball while Wacha projects to be a solid middle to back end of
the rotation starter. This might be a haul
for the Cubs, but due to the fact that it’s the Cardinals, a project like
Swagerty would probably have to be included.
He could be a solid bullpen option for the future coming off of Tommy
John surgery. All I know is I would be
absolutely stunned if these two teams matched up for a trade.
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| AJ Cole |
In your dreams-INF Anthony Rendon
Most likely staying put-No one
Just about right-RHP Lucas Giolito, RHP AJ Cole, RHP Nathan Karns,
LHP Robbie Ray
Interesting names-OF Michael Taylor, 3B Matt Skole, LHP Matt Purke,
RHP Taylor Jordan, 2B Jeff Kobernus
Rendon is definitely staying put,
but Giolito or Cole would be a good start to a possible trade. Karns and Ray are also solid arms who could
be moved. The Nats have a bunch of good
prospects in the rest of their system, with slugger Michael Taylor and quality
3B prospect Matt Skole. Kobernus has
great speed and can hit for average, while Purke and Jordan are solid back end
of the rotation potential type options.
You’ll be happy if the Cubs get…AJ Cole, Matt Purke, and Taylor
Jordan. All 3 of these guys are quality
arms, with Cole obviously being the best of the bunch. Jordan won’t overpower anyone, but he has
great control and knows how to pitch.
Cole is a quality top of the rotation type guy, who has a plus-plus fastball,
but doesn’t have great numbers this year.
Purke had first round talent, but was injured when he was drafted in
2011, so he slipped to the third round, but he has finally started to show what
he can do this year.
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| Matt Davidson |
In your dreams-RHP Archie Bradley
Most likely staying put-LHP Tyler Skaggs, SS Didi Gregorious
Just about right-3B Matt Davidson, OF Adam Eaton, SS Chris Owings,
RHP Randall Delgado
Interesting names-OF AJ Pollock, LHP David Holmberg, RHP Zeke
Spruill
The Diamondbacks have the 2 top
tier arms that the Cubs would for sure want, but I don’t see the Dbacks moving
either of them, especially Bradley. Skaggs is more likely, but they said they
wouldn’t move him for Samardzija, so they’re not moving him for Garza. Davidson is having a hell of a year, and
Owings is a big time prospect despite the strikeout issues. Delgado almost came to the Cubs last year, so
they obviously like him, but he won’t be the centerpiece here.
You’ll
be happy if the Cubs get…Matt
Davidson, Randall Delgado, and Andrew Chafin.
Davidson is a big get, as would Owings, as they are probably
interchangeable when it comes to value.
Delgado is a quality arm who we know who the Cubs like and Chafin is a
back end kind of guy, as he doesn’t have plus stuff, but he knows how to
pitch. I don’t really see a huge fit
here, but this would be a good return for Garza.
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| Gregory Polanco |
In your dreams-RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Jameson Taillon
Most likely staying put-INF Alen Hanson
Just about right-OF Gregory Polanco, RHP Luis Heredia, LHP Andrew
Oliver
Interesting names-RHP Clay Holmes, C Tony Sanchez, LHP Justin
Wilson, RHP Kyle McPherson
I don’t really see much of a fit
with the Pirates, as the guys the Cubs would want aren’t going anywhere, plus
the in division price would be very high.
Polanco would be a great get for the Cubs, but I don’t even know if he
would be available. Heredia is a bit of
a project, while Oliver is a former college pitcher who is a good back end
guy. Sanchez is a former first round
pick who may finally be figuring it out, while Justin Wilson is in the big
leagues and he throws HARD.
You’ll be happy if the Cubs get…Gregory Polanco, Andrew Oliver, and
Justin Wilson. This isn’t as heavy in
pitching as other deals, but Polanco is a legit prospect, while Oliver should
be a back end type guy and Wilson could be the closer of the future. Either way, I just don’t see a great fit
here.
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| Tyler Matzek |
In your dreams-3B Nolan Arenado
Most likely staying put-No one
Just about right-LHP Drew Pomeranz, SS Trevor Story, OF David Dahl,
RHP Chad Bettis
Interesting names-LHP Tyler Anderson, LHP Tyler Matzek, RHP Eddie
Butler
There really isn’t much of a fit here, as the Rockies don’t have a ton of top level minor league talent, especially in the pitching department.
Even their top hitters Dahl and Story have struggled. Bettis, Anderson, Matzek, and Butler are all interesting, but at best are middle of the rotation guys.
You’ll be happy if the Cubs get…Chad Bettis, Tyler Matzek, and Eddie Butler. These three arms are all decent prospects, but again, just don’t see the top level type of talent that the Cubs would be after in a Garza trade.
Phewwwwww, well wasn't that fun??? If you're still with me, well then you're a better man than me. In the end, I think that Garza goes to either the Rangers or Red Sox because those are the two teams that match up the best with the Cubs. Both teams have strong pitching prospects and the top level talent that the Cubs would like in return for Garza.
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