The Tampa Bay Rays have traded starting pitcher Matt Garza, minor league outfielder Fernando Perez, and a minor league player to be named later to the Chicago Cubs for a package of four prospects including right handed pitcher Chris Archer, shortstop Hak-Ju Lee, outfielder Brandon Guyer, catcher Robinson Chirinos, and outfielder Sam Fuld.
Trade talks intensified greatly over the past 48 hours and many feel the Cubs greatly overpaid in order to acquire a pitcher who they feel can be a number one or two in their rotation. The package of prospects reported to be heading to Tampa Bay is a stronger package than the prospects trading for pitchers such as Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, and Zack Greinke.
Garza, 27, is coming off his best big league season, compiling a 15-10 record with a 3.91 ERA.
Tampa Bay was willing to trade Garza for top young talent. The Rays were looking to get a shortstop, a catcher and some top-caliber young pitching in return for their pitcher. They had been in talks with upwards of three other teams since the Winter Meetings but were blown away by the Cubs final offer.
Looks like Matt Garza to the Cubs is all but a done deal…wonder what the fomer Wash Union/Fresno State star thinks about being traded to NL?
Looks like Matt Garza to the Cubs is all but a done deal…wonder what the fomer Wash Union/Fresno State star thinks about being traded to NL?