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Cubs trade rumors: Matt Garza drawing interest from Dodgers and Padres

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The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres are both considering Chicago Cubs right hander Matt Garza, according to Ken Rosenthal.

Rosenthal also reports that teams in need of a starting pitcher include the entire NL West and the Baltimore Orioles after they recently let go veteran Freddy Garcia. This could bode well for the Cubs as it's a very light market for starting pitchers -- and Garza is desired.

Garza, 29, has been limited to seven starts on the year after suffering a lat strain in spring training that kept him out until mid-May. Through seven starts, Garza has a 2-1 record with a 4.25 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings.

When we take a look at Garza's contract it should have about $5 million left if traded before the trade deadline as he signed a 1 year 10.25 million dollar contract as a Super Two Player. Garza will be viewed as a rental player since he is only signed for the 2013 season so it might slightly deter his value. Although, in my mind I believe the Chicago Cubs will still get a great haul of young prospects if they do decide to trade him before the trade deadline.

Peter Gammons lets us ponder this tweet below where he is hearing that the Padres and Cubs are discussing a deal where Garza would go to the Padres and Reymond Fuentes a top prospect and two other Hoyer/McLeod Prospects would also be in the deal.

Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod were with San Diego before joining Theo Epstein with the Cubs and definitely know the Padres system and have done their homework. Keep in mind nothing is set in stone with this deal its just shocking to see Gammons tweet about the deal as were still a month away from the deadline. As I said above if multiple teams get involved the Cubs leverage increases and the better prospect haul the Cubs can expect in return for Matt Garza.

Another take on the Garza rumors comes from SB Nation's own Eric Stephen of True Blue LA where he again sites the Ken Rosenthal story "Rosenthal also mentions the Dodgers and Padres in pursuit of Matt Garza, who will also be a free agent after this season. Garza is 2-1 with a 4.25 ERA in seven starts with the Cubs, with 37 strikeouts and 14 walks. Rosenthal also mentions the Dodgers and Padres in pursuit of Matt Garza, who will also be a free agent after this season. Garza is 2-1 with a 4.25 ERA in seven starts with the Cubs, with 37 strikeouts and 14 walks. "

The debate has been going on for some time for the Chicago Cubs on what to do with Matt Garza. Is he a centerpiece for the rebuild? Should they trade him to a contender and gather more young talent for the future? These are questions Cubs management has to take into account for the next month or so as they weight trade offers from multiple teams. It was easy for the Cubs last year at this time as unfortunately Garza sustained an elbow injury and sat out the rest of the season. It should be a very interesting time with the Cubs as many veterans will be on the move as they will once again be sellers at the trade deadline.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of MLBDD's writers or editors.

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