Matt Garza Rumors: Orioles "In the Thick" of Talks with Cubs

Jayson Stark of ESPN expects Chicago Cubs right-hander Matt Garza to be traded this summer and if he is, it is expected to be a "heavy-duty kind of deal."

We'd still wager heavily that Matt Garza will get traded in the next month. But if it happens, it'll definitely be a heavy-duty kind of deal. One AL executive's description of the Cubs' current model for a potential Garza trade is "the Ubaldo Jimenez deal." Translation: It's going to take two young, controllable players with big upside.

The Colorado Rockies traded Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians last summer for four prospects, including Drew Pomeranz and Alex White; starting pitchers who each entered the 2011 season considered top 75 prospects by Baseball America.

While American League East teams such as the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees have been tied to Garza this season, Stark hears that the Baltimore Orioles are "right in the thick of the Garza discussions."

However, the Orioles are telling Chicago and anyone else who’s listening that they aren’t interested in trading top prospects Dylan Bundy and Manny Machado. With the Cubs likely lofty asking price for Garza and Baltimore’s lack of minor league talent behind Bundy and Machado, it doesn’t seem like there will be a fit.